With the NHL’s commerce deadline nonetheless almost a month away, we have already seen a number of main offers. The Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche swapped stars in Mikko Rantanen and Martin Necas, whereas the New York Rangers lastly acquired J.T. Miller. In the meantime, the Vancouver Canucks acquired Marcus Pettersson, and the Dallas Stars added pending free agent Mikael Granlund.
Because of this, the pool of gamers anticipated to be obtainable on the deadline is starting to skinny. However one smaller title who stays a probable candidate to be dealt is Ryan Donato.
Donato signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in the summertime of 2023, marking his fifth NHL crew. He had a decent however unspectacular first 12 months in Chicago in 2023-24, managing 30 factors in 78 video games.
This 12 months, nonetheless, Donato has taken a big step ahead. With 19 targets and 37 factors in 53 video games, he is main the Blackhawks in targets and scoring at an 82-game tempo of 57 factors. Chicago is properly outdoors the playoff race once more and with Donato set to change into a free agent this offseason, he is a candidate to be dealt. Donato’s worth will doubtless by no means be larger and given the ahead is already 28 years outdated, he doubtless will not be a part of Chicago’s long-term plans.
So with that in thoughts, let’s check out the place Donato may land if the Blackhawks deal him.
Colorado Avalanche
The highest of Colorado’s ahead group is already top-notch. Nathan MacKinnon, Necas, Jonathan Drouin and Artturi Lehkonen are able to offering constant offense. In the meantime, Valeri Nichushkin will present a giant increase as soon as he returns to the lineup. Nonetheless, Casey Mittelstadt has struggled a bit, and the crew’s depth scoring continues to be missing.
With the Avalanche probably trying so as to add to their ahead group, Donato may present one other middle-six choice. He is additionally one of many gamers Colorado may truly afford, given their lack of draft picks and prospects. The Avalanche have two second-round picks this 12 months, so they might embrace one as a part of a return.
The Avalanche have sufficient items in place that Donato would not be counted on to do an excessive amount of, however he may nonetheless add a bit extra secondary scoring.
Ottawa Senators
There are a few the reason why Donato is sensible for the Ottawa Senators. First, a playoff look continues to be unsure for the crew, so they will not be trying to surrender huge belongings in a commerce. Whereas Donato is having a breakout 12 months, he’d nonetheless be one of many cheaper middle-six choices obtainable on the deadline.
In the meantime, the Senators actually do not have a lot cap area remaining, making Donato’s low cap hit an enormous profit. If the Blackhawks have been to retain half of Donato’s wage, Ottawa may purchase him at a $1 million cap hit.
The Senators are pretty sturdy on the high of the ahead group. Plus, with Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris and Shane Pinto taking part in down the center within the top-nine, Ottawa is about at middle when the trio is wholesome.
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Nonetheless, the crew may use assistance on the wing. David Perron hasn’t been overly impactful when wholesome, and so the crew arguably solely has three reputable top-six wingers. Because of this, Donato might be an excellent commerce deadline addition.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Just like the Avalanche, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a well-established high of the ahead group. Nonetheless, their depth falls off from there, and the Lightning have not been capable of rely on their bottom-six for a lot offense in any respect.
Donato might be used down the center, which might enable Nick Paul to play on the wing within the top-six. On the flip facet, Donato may as a substitute play on the wing of the second or third line. In both situation, he’d be a giant increase for the crew’s top-nine.
The Lightning are set on nonetheless attempting to contend, so we will count on them to make a deadline addition. With an absence of commerce belongings at their disposal, Donato is a participant the crew may probably afford.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are but once more trying to lastly make a deep playoff run, and are reportedly out there for a middle.
Once more although, there aren’t a ton of choices obtainable. Each Miller and Granlund already discovered new properties, and Donato might be a comparatively low-cost addition. Toronto nonetheless closely depends on their top-four forwards for many of their scoring, however stay skinny within the bottom-six. With two high-end facilities above him in Auston Matthews and John Tavares, Donato would solely want to offer secondary offense.
The query is whether or not Donato would actually be sufficient of a difference-maker. There’s an argument to be made that Donato will not be way more impactful than merely utilizing Max Domi as a third-line middle.
Nonetheless, the Maple Leafs do not have a ton of 2025 draft capital, or cap area. With Donato as one of many cheaper choices more likely to be obtainable, Toronto might be a doable touchdown spot.