Two players the Chicago Blackhawks are actively looking to trade
Two months away from the NHL trade deadline on March 7, but in some struggling franchises like the Chicago Blackhawks, the players being sent packing are already made evident to many.
The Eastern Conference has taken an odd turn this NHL season, from the last place Buffalo Sabres to the team in a wild card spot, it is only a 7 point differential.
That's great news for teams like the Blackhawks who'll be sellers at the deadline, and can upsell their depth players to struggling teams looking to get any kind of leverage possible in the Eastern Conference.
According to several sources including The Athletic, The Fourth Period and The Daily Faceoff, the Blackhawks will be dealing away two veteran plays in Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato, both forwards.
Taylor Hall:
"Hall is the likeliest Blackhawks player to appeal to contending teams at the deadline. Although his production has tailed off in the last month, he's still close to a 20-goal pace. As one NHL executive reminded me, Hall is producing around the same as when he was on a quality Boston Bruins team not too long ago. GMs also won't forget Hall scored five goals in seven playoff games in 2023. Those things matter to contending teams looking for additions at the deadline. Hall is probably seen as a potential secondary scoring option."
Said Blackhawks Team Reporter, Scott Powers, the Athletic
Powers further added to his report, stating that the Blackhawks will be able to retrieve a second or third-round draft pick, if they retain some of his current $6 million salary.
Hall is a former first overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers and is an ideal acquisition for a contender looking for an offensive boost.
Ryan Donato
"Of all the Blackhawks veterans, it's Donato and Jason Dickinson that have lived up to their billing this season. Donato has been a model of consistency in Chicago. He's been impactful and competitive and someone both coaching staffs in Chicago have relied upon in the midst of a career year. Donato is also relatively inexpensive and could be a quality under-the-radar addition." Said NHL credentialed media outlet, Daily Faceoff
Ryan Donato is the easiest trade candidate for the Blackhawks, and the team will retrieve their biggest possible return of investment on the forward.
The Blackhawks signed Donato to a cheap, $2 million deal this summer and he will his free agency this offseason, he has since shown he can score goals, produce momentum and keep up with star players like Connor Bedard.
At age 28, the Blackhawks could look to retrieve a third round draft pick for Ryan Donato, which is truly never that bad.
POLL |
JANVIER 10 | 189 ANSWERS Two players the Chicago Blackhawks are actively looking to trade If you were general manager Kyle Davidson, who would you trade away from the Chicago Blackhawks? |
Ryan Donato | 20 | 10.6 % |
Taylor Hall | 81 | 42.9 % |
Neither, Bedard needs support | 58 | 30.7 % |
That's a tough decision, i'm unsure | 30 | 15.9 % |
List of polls |
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35 minutes ago | By Joshua Deeds Were The Blackhawks fleeced, or is GM Kyle Davidson playing the long-game? |
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16 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Ryan Donato is being traded and we know what the Blackhawks are receiving |
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17 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds 3 Blackhawks Trade Candidates After Taylor Hall Deal |
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18 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Blackhawks Bedard shockingly describes the moment the team and Taylor Hall found out he was traded |
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19 hours ago | By Sam Walker Elliotte Friedman drops bombshell on the Chicago Blackhawks acquiring Mikko Rantanen |
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21 hours ago | By Alixandrea Gearey Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard injured following hit by Tampa Bay Lightning Michael Eyssimont |
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22 hours ago | By Sam Walker Blackhawks give up 21-year old promising prospect in blockbuster 3-way Mikko Rantanen deal |
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23 hours ago | By Sam Walker Nick Foligno Furiously Calls Out The Blackhawks For Trading Good Friend Taylor Hall |
Previously on HawksInsider