Ryan Donato has been excellent for the Chicago Blackhawks, and while the team has had contract discussions with the versatile forward, it looks very clear that they will trade him over the next few days ahead of the trade deadline.
Kevin Weekes reported that there are plenty of teams that are checking in on Donato who is a pending UFA after the season. Some of what the teams interested are saying is that they like his versatility, his compete level, and his price.
Donato is up to 22 goals and 45 points in 59 games. 19 of his goals have come at even strength and he has made 94 hits to top it off. The 28-year-old has already set new career highs in all of the offensive categories and is playing just under 15:30 per game.
Donato has a $2 million AAV cap hit, and with what he’s proven this season, it’s likely whichever team wins the sweepstakes will only be using him as a rental since his salary is going to jump. While the cap hit is very low compared to his impact, the cost to acquire him shouldn’t be. I think a second round pick is fair at this point for what he continues to do game in and game out.
He has three goals and eight points on a current five-game point streak and Donato has seven goals and 16 points in his last 10 games, recording at least a point in nine of those games. He’s been very consistent this season for how consistent the lineup of the Blackhawks has been.
If one more game in a Blackhawks uniform to showcase what he has is all Chicago gets, it has been a great showing and well worth his time with the team.
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