Ryan Donato's fate with the Chicago Blackhawks has just been confirmed
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The Chicago Blackhawks next forward out the door is Ryan Donato, following the three-way trade of Taylor Hall, Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes.
According to several sources, TSN Chris Johnston relays that Ryan Donato is next up on the Blackhawks trade board to depart from the organization after the Taylor Hall move.
While Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato has been pretty consistent over the years with his production, he hasn't had much stability, lasting no longer than two seasons with each of his five NHL teams.
It appears that trend may soon be continuing as Chris Johnston relays in his latest Trade Board for The Athletic that the 28-year-old is starting to attract some attention from other teams on the trade front.
It appears that trend may soon be continuing as Chris Johnston relays in his latest Trade Board for The Athletic that the 28-year-old is starting to attract some attention from other teams on the trade front.
Donato is a consistent skater, posting up 20-plus point seasons in seven straight years, including this one on the bottom-dwelling Central Division Blackhawks.
Donato has put up at least 20 points in seven straight seasons now, including this one.
While his career high in that department is 31 set back in 2021-22, he is well on his way to beating that. In 46 games so far with Chicago, he has 14 goals and 14 assists despite playing less than 15 minutes a night.
On top of that, he has played down the middle more often than usual this season; that versatility will only help his trade value.
While his career high in that department is 31 set back in 2021-22, he is well on his way to beating that. In 46 games so far with Chicago, he has 14 goals and 14 assists despite playing less than 15 minutes a night.
On top of that, he has played down the middle more often than usual this season; that versatility will only help his trade value.
Donato is the perfect candidate to contending teams on a budget, with a little $4M average on a deal signed by Kyle Davidson back in 2023.
That's pretty good value for a player who currently sits third on the Blackhawks in points.
The fact that Donato is having that success in more of a middle-six role should also be appealing as he's likely to be in the bottom six on most contending teams where his 22 even-strength points will fit in well.
The fact that Donato is having that success in more of a middle-six role should also be appealing as he's likely to be in the bottom six on most contending teams where his 22 even-strength points will fit in well.
Despite the Blackhawks moving on from him, the aging forward would certainly love stability at this stage in his NHL career, and would personally consider re-signing with the Blackhawks, as did Taylor Hall before he was traded.
Considering Donato's performance this season and the fact that Chicago is still trying to find the right mix of veterans to keep in the fold, there's certainly a case to be made that the Blackhawks might be better off trying to re-sign him.
Kyle Davidson essentially jips over Blackhawks, bring them down to only one retention spot
The Blackhawks have just one retention slot remaining following yesterday's three-team swap so they could use it on Donato to make him affordable to even the most cap-strapped of teams which should only help his return.
Either way, it looks like he's a strong candidate to be moved by the March 7th deadline.
Either way, it looks like he's a strong candidate to be moved by the March 7th deadline.
Previously on HawksInsider
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