Blackhawks' Sam Lafferty Fills In as Defenseman in Loss to Blues

The forward's unexpected move to the blue line raises questions about the team's strategy and roster depth.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:11am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with players and the rink deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the Blackhawks' lineup changes and strategic adjustments.A cubist interpretation of the Blackhawks' unexpected lineup shift, with forward Sam Lafferty stepping in as a defenseman against the Blues.Chicago Today

In an unusual move, the Chicago Blackhawks had forward Sam Lafferty step in as a defenseman for their game against the St. Louis Blues due to an injury to their third-pairing defenseman. While Lafferty's performance was commendable, the Blackhawks ultimately lost the game 5-3, securing them a top-five draft pick but highlighting the team's recent struggles, including a dismal home record.

Why it matters

The Lafferty experiment underscores the Blackhawks' roster challenges and the importance of depth and specialized talent. The team's decision to rely on a forward in a defensive role raises questions about their long-term strategy and the impact of player versatility on their competitiveness.

The details

With no defensemen available from their AHL affiliate Rockford who had played NHL games this season, the Blackhawks turned to the versatile Sam Lafferty to fill the void on the blue line. Lafferty, a forward by trade, had previous experience playing defense during his college days at Brown and for Team USA at the 2022 world championships. Head coach Jeff Blashill praised Lafferty's commitment and familiarity with the team's systems, suggesting he was the best available option.

  • The Blackhawks faced an 'emergency situation' with a minor injury to their third-pairing defenseman, Ethan Del Mastro.
  • The Blackhawks have only 10 wins in 37 games since January 8th, including a dismal home record of just three wins in 17 games.

The players

Sam Lafferty

A forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who has previous experience playing defense, both in college and for Team USA.

Ethan Del Mastro

A third-pairing defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks who suffered a minor injury, leading to Lafferty's unexpected move to the blue line.

Jeff Blashill

The head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, who praised Lafferty's commitment and familiarity with the team's systems as the reason for his move to defense.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must make the best of the situation we're in, and Sam's versatility and experience made him the logical choice to step in on the back end.”

— Jeff Blashill, Head Coach, Chicago Blackhawks

What’s next

The Blackhawks will continue to evaluate their roster and strategy as they look to turn around their season and build towards the future.

The takeaway

The Lafferty experiment highlights the Blackhawks' roster challenges and the need for depth and specialized talent. While the loss secured a high draft pick, the team's overall performance underscores the importance of continued growth and improvement to become a competitive force in the NHL.