Chicago Blackhawks forward’s hot start is raising his trade value

The Chicago Blackhawks season is once again heading straight for the Central Division’s basement despite their big win over the Colorado Avalanche. This means that the signs are once again pointing to them being sellers at the NHL trade deadline and even in the months preceding it. 

It also means we could be saying goodbye to a few players before we know it. While they may not be out of town by the end of October, as I previously stated, it doesn’t mean they won’t find the exit sooner rather than later. 

As is often the case when I claim a player isn’t producing at a high level, they magically turn things around quickly and put together a few solid games, like Ryan Donato. Since October 22nd, Donato has four goals and an assist, giving him five points in that span and six on the year in eight games. 

While that success may not last, and Donato could have enjoyed just a solid string of games, it would be foolish to count him out. Donato’s shooting percentage has climbed to 38.5, and while that won’t be the case all year, it doesn’t mean he won’t evolve into a solid depth scorer that will turn a few general managers’ heads. 

Ryan Donato may wind up as a solid trade chip for the Blackhawks

Assuming Ryan Donato continues to play good hockey for the next few months and keeps up his physical game, you can count on quite a few executives from around the league queuing up for his services. He’s a sheer lower-liner who we already knew could deliver hard hits, but scoring? Oh, he would make an excellent depth scorer if a contender needed one. 

In a best-case scenario, that contender would be a team that hasn’t done much in the playoffs for a while, a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs or Boston Bruins. We all know Toronto’s struggles, and we also know that Boston hasn’t exactly been lights out in the playoffs, especially when they’re forced to deal with the Florida Panthers. 

Long story short, both teams should be willing to overpay for players, even potential depth pieces, like Donato. No, I’m not saying they’ll give the Hawks a ransom for him, but an early-round pick plus a high-potential prospect for a player who could help them hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup? Oh, both teams will be potential takers, and I can think of a few more, but that’s a tale for another time.