Vancouver Canucks acquire Sam Lafferty from Maple Leafs for draft pick

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired forward Sam Lafferty from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2024 5th round pick, the teams announced on Sunday.

Headed into the final year of a two-year contract that carries a $1.15-million cap, Toronto acquired the 28-year-old forward in a trade deadline move with the Blackhawks last season that also saw defenceman Jack McCabe join the team.

Now, just 28 total games wearing the blue and white later, Lafferty is headed across the continent days before the 2023-24 regular season gets going.

For the Maple Leafs, the move creates some more financial flexibility as well as a much needed roster spot. With Lafferty’s cap hit now off their books, the team's glut at forward becomes a little clearer, while also providing an opportunity to sign speedy bottom-six forward Noah Gregor.

Gregor, 25, is currently on a professional try-out after spending last season with the San Jose Sharks. He scored 10 goals and added seven assists in 57 games with San Jose last season.

As for the Canucks, at the price of a late-round pick in next summer's draft, Vancouver acquires another depth forward to potentially raise their floor and push some of their weaker roster players down the lineup.

With Vancouver aiming to reach the postseason for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign, and the first time in a full season since 2014-15, adding a player with postseason pedigree in Lafferty provides Rick Tocchet and his staff another solid option.

In a related move, the Maple Leafs also placed defencemen Simon Benoit, Maxime Lajoie, William Lagesson, forwards Kyle Clifford and Dylan Gambrell, as well as goaltender Martin Jones, on waivers on Sunday.

The Maple Leafs, as well as the rest of the NHL, will need to have their rosters finalized by Monday ahead of the start of the NHL season Tuesday night.