Two contending teams linked to forward Ryan Donato

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Tyler Ball
August 31, 2024 (8:21 PM)

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Today a new trade rumor has come up connecting Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato to a pair of potential playoff teams.

The NHL season is rapidly approaching and teams are looking to improve their rosters right up until opening night. With that in mind a new report from Eklund of Hockeybuzz has linked Chicago Blackhawks depth forward Ryan Donato to two different teams the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins.

From what I've heard, there are at least two teams -- Dallas is one, his original NHL club (Boston) another -- who might get in early on the 28-year-old vet as a preemptive rental.

As Eklund mentions Ryan Donato is in the final year of his contract and the Chicago Blackhawks might be looking to move him for something in return. The Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins have both been in the market for cheap depth forwards throughout the summer and could make sense as potential landing spots. The question then becomes is Ryan Donato a piece worth moving for?

Should contending teams be looking to trade for Ryan Donato?

Throughout his NHL career, Ryan Donato has been a polarizing player. Originally selected in the 2nd round of the 2014 NHL Draft Ryan Donato was looked at as a future top six forward.

He began his career with the Boston Bruins and due to their stacked lineup struggled to get involved in a key role. After spending parts of 2 seasons in Boston Ryan Donato was traded to the Minnesota Wild for a fresh start.

With the Minnesota Wild, he would play over 80 games in 2 seasons but never really was able to flash offensively. His best season in the State of Hockey would be 23 points in 62 games.

Since then Ryan Donato has bounced around playing for the San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, and most recently the Chicago Blackhawks. During that time Ryan Donato has never really found the offensive upside many had hoped to see. Regardless he has become a two-way forward and found ways to stick around in the NHL.

If the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins are able to acquire Ryan Donato for cheap and put him in the bottom-six then he could be a great addition. Relying on him for anything more than that could be a severe mistake though.

As the season continues to draw near it will be fun to see if these rumors turn into real life moves before opening night.

Source: Hockey Buzz
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