(670 The Score/WGR 550) - The Chicago Blackhawks continued to add to their treasure trove of draft capital in a big way on Monday.
Chicago traded forward Sam Lafferty, defenseman Jake McCabe, a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2025 fifth-round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Joey Anderson, forward Pavel Gogolev, a conditional 2025 first-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick.
The headlining assets in the return for the rebuilding Blackhawks are the two draft picks. The Blackhawks now own six first-round picks across the next three years, though the 2025 first-rounder could be pushed back to 2026. It’s top-10 protected in 2025, according to Ben Pope of the Sun-Times.
Lafferty had 21 points (10 goals and 11 assists) in 51 games for the Blackhawks this season. In parts of his two seasons in Chicago, the 27-year-old played in 97 games, scoring 15 goals and registering 17 assists for 32 points.
Meanwhile, McCabe had 20 points (2+18) in 55 games while serving as one of Chicago’s most reliable defensemen. In parts of his two seasons in Chicago, McCabe played in 130 games, producing 42 points (6+36).
The Blackhawks will retain 50% of McCabe’s salary, which carries a $4 million cap hit annually.
McCabe had signed with the Blackhawks as an unrestricted free agent prior to the 2021-22 season after spending parts of eight seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. The 29-year-old was a second-round pick (44th overall) of the Sabres in the 2012 NHL Draft.
As for Anderson, 24, he had three points (2+1) in 14 games for the Maple Leafs this season. He also had 27 points (14+13) in 30 games with the AHL Toronto Marlies. He has 16 points in 72 career NHL games after being a third-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Meanwhile, Gogolev, 23, will report directly to the AHL Rockford Icehogs. He had 48 points (21+27) in 33 games for the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL this season.
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