The Chicago Blackhawks trading Ryan Donato feels inevitable

As we near Friday’s Trade Deadline, many questions remain.

Where will top trade candidates such as Brock Nelson, Brock Boeser, and Scott Laughton end up? Will Mikko Rantanen be dealt again? Which contenders are best positioned to make a last-minute splash?

One thing, however, is abundantly clear – the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline is definitely a seller’s market.

Chicago Blackhawks fans already knew this when GM Kyle Davidson managed to coax a first rounder and goalie of the future, Spencer Knight out of Florida for Seth Jones at a reduced salary. But the trade activity lately proves the Jones return was no fluke. 

Just looking at recent forward trades, Gustav Nyquist, Trent Frederic, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Yanni Gourde managed to net their respective former teams two first-round picks and three second-round picks as well as other assets. 

Don’t get me wrong, Nyquist, Frederic, Bjorkstrand, and Gourde are all solid players who will certainly add value to their new teams’ lineups, but none of them are enjoying career seasons. Nyquist, Frederic, and Gourde are not on pace to crack 30 points, while Bjorkstrand is on pace for a respectable 50 points. 

This is all a long way of saying, none of these players are performing as well as Ryan Donato has this season. 

The Harvard product has already bested his career-high in goals with 23, and is on a torrid streak of late with eight goals and 16 points in his last 10 games. Donato is simply on fire, and contenders want him on their roster come April. 

It feels inevitable that a rival GM will call Davidson in the coming days offering at least a first-rounder, and that will be something he cannot refuse. Though Hawks fans and players alike would like to see Donato back in the Windy City this season (and rightfully so), his time here is coming to a close. 

We all know the saying, where there is smoke, there is fire. And the smoke around Donato’s name right now in trade circles is overwhelming. Davidson has arguably the belle of the ball at this year’s Deadline, and he has never been shy about moving a good player in the present for the chance at a brighter future.