The 4 Nations Face-Off is about to start, but that won’t stop the Edmonton Oilers from identifying trade targets and players who can strengthen the lineup. Last week, Elliotte Friedman reported that the team was eyeing centreman Ryan Donato from the Chicago Blackhawks. Donato is also ranked 17th on Frank Seravalli’s trade target board at Daily Faceoff.
To better understand Donato and the Blackhawks, I felt Ben Pope, who covers the team for the Chicago Sun-Times, would be the right man to ask.
For Oilers fans unfamiliar with Ryan Donato, what can you tell them about the type of player he is based on what you’ve seen?
“Donato is a career journeyman and utility forward who’s enjoying a career year. He’ll be primarily a bottom-six guy on a contender, but he can play up and down the lineup when necessary — the Hawks have used him with Connor Bedard at various times before and he’s currently on a hot streak with Bedard — and can also play all three positions.
He’s a shoot-first player who can score in a variety of ways, both around the net and from some distance, although he isn’t an elite sniper by any means. He used to be rather slow, but he adjusted and worked hard on his skating technique last summer and it has paid off, as he now has average speed.
His consistent work ethic is arguably his strongest trait and has really stood out on this Hawks team. He hustles every night, even when most of the other veterans on this roster do not. He has a scrappy side to him, too, but he’s not a frequent fighter. In short, he’s some of everything, even though he might not be great at any one thing.”
What would the cost of acquisition be for a player like Donato? What would the Blackhawks want in return?
“A third-round pick would be a reasonable price for Donato, but the Hawks will certainly be asking for more than that — at least a second-round pick. They basically got a second-round pick from Toronto two years ago for Sam Lafferty, another versatile forward enjoying a career year, so that sets the bar. If they’re only offered third-round picks leading up to the deadline, it could be a tougher decision whether to trade him anyway or keep him and try to extend him.”
For Oilers fans unaware of what’s happening in Chicago, what moves do you anticipate they will make toward the deadline and why?
“The Hawks are obviously sellers again this year, but they’re not as trigger-happy to sell off everyone of value as they have been in past years, especially with Taylor Hall already dealt. They want to try to be more competitive and improve down the stretch this season, they want to keep veteran support around Bedard and Frank Nazar, and they already have a robust prospect pool and collection of picks for the next few years.
Aside from Donato, there’s a chance some of their old mercenaries on one-year contracts (Alec Martinez, Pat Maroon and Craig Smith) could be traded, and there’s a chance they could work out a more complicated and bigger trade involving Seth Jones or Connor Murphy, but I wouldn’t say any one of those things is especially likely to happen on its own.”
For more from Ben Pope, you can find him on X, and he does a great job at covering the Blackhawks for the Chicago Sun-Times.
For some Oilers fans, adding another forward should be the least of the team’s worries. They feel the team should focus on defence or goaltending. While there’s nothing wrong with that, the Oilers have regressed offensively compared to last year. After 55 games last season, the Oilers scored 195 goals at all strengths, and this year, they have scored 185.
That isn’t a huge difference, but what has stood out is the Oilers shooting percentage. Per Natural Stat Trick, Edmonton ranks 21st in the NHL in all strengths, shooting at 10.13%. Teams like the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets stand at the top of that category, and both sit at the top of the league standings, separated by one point.
Edmonton has found ways to win this season and currently occupies first place in the Pacific Division despite scoring less than in previous years. A player like Ryan Donato could help them get closer to the top spot in the Western Conference.