The Blackhawks will take the ice back in Chicago at Fifth Third Arena this afternoon, marking the official end of their collective vacation. They’re back on the ice getting ready for the Anaheim Ducks to visit the United Center on Tuesday night — the Blackhawks’ first game in ten days. Hopefully they’re all well rested because the next 3+ weeks until the trade deadline might be stressful.
Lafferty brings elements that a savvy, complete and veteran team could use on their fourth line. He isn’t perfect, lacking sense and his motor wanes during stretches, but the second year always seems to entice certain teams giving them cost certainty heading into the offseason. His contract coupled with his raw physical ability might make a team eager to try to pull a complete game out of him while harnessing what he already does well.