LAFFERTY LANDS IN VANCOUVER
The Vancouver Canucks acquired forward Sam Lafferty from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a fifth-round draft pick in 2024.
What does it give the Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks took advantage of the Maple Leafs' cap crunch and add a player in Lafferty that management knows well from their time together in Pittsburgh. Expect Lafferty to play in a bottom-six forward role and add some speed and penalty-killing ability to the Canucks. Jack Studnicka was waived in a corresponding transaction, so Lafferty could start 2023-24 with another former Penguin Teddy Blueger on Vancouver's fourth line.
What does it give the Toronto Maple Leafs
For the Maple Leafs, this move was all about creating cap space. In making this trade, the Leafs should be able to carry 21 players on the roster (one over the minimum) to start the '23-24 season. Keep an eye on Toronto's bottom-six forwards. The most likely candidates to earn a spot now are rookie Fraser Minten, PTO tryout Noah Gregor or Swede Pontus Holmberg. Getting a pick in return is a bonus for Toronto.
Fantasy impact
There is no fantasy impact with this trade, as Lafferty is probably going to remain a botton-six forward with the Canucks.
