Blackhawks' Ryan Donato Could Big The Team's Big Trade Chip

The Chicago Blackhawks need to re-evaluate a lineup that was "improved" but hasn't played like it.

In the midst of the chaos this season, the Blackhawks have found reliable players who put in sixty minutes of effort every night.

One of those players is Ryan Donato, who has worked his way up the lineup. He was a bottom-six forward at the beginning of his tenure in Chicago, and has earned a look in the middle-six, as a gritty, physical forward.

NHL Insider Bruce Garrioch, who covers the Ottawa Senators has mentioned Donato as a trade piece for the team.

Donato is a forward who comes at an affordable $2 million AAV cap hit, and has punched far above his weight in Chicago.

He's second on the team in goals, with 15 this year, and has an average of 14:47 TOI with the Hawks this season.

In 50 games played for the Chicago Blackhawks, he's scored 30 points (15 G, 15 A) and has already matched last season's production.

The Senators, if they could make a deal happen, would be getting a physical, puck hound who can play up and down the lineup.

He's never scored more than 31 points in a season, and he could easily top that this season if he continues to produce as he is currently.

Donato is currently on pace to score 49 points and could earn a handsome extension as a result.

With the Senators in a playoff push, they could look to Chicago to augment their forward core, and Donato could be the target.

The team is missing Nick Cousins in the lineup, who could be out for two months due to knee surgery.

They'll need to figure out someone to add to the lineup to stay in the hunt.

With Taylor Hall in Carolina, the Senators could look to tap into the Blackhawks' pipeline to secure Donato.

The best part? He could cost at the most a third-round pick, as much as the Blackhawks traded Hall for.

Donato provides physicality, and secondary scoring all the traits a contending team needs.