One dark horse forward would make a great fit for the Sabres if on the trade block

Previously, I talked about what was once a failed experiment potentially returning to the Sabres should they be interested in and manage to acquire them. But they’re not the only forward potentially on their way out in Chicago, as one more name, and a dark horse one at that, could ironically provide a major boost to anyone in outer orbit of contending. 

Right now, the Blackhawks are somewhere outside the solar system’s Kuiper Belt of contention, or at least that’s the case at this point in the season. Yeah, a little outside of outer orbit, might I add. That said, general manager Kevyn Adams could find himself reaching out to Kyle Davidson, given some rather hot talent in the Windy City that, simultaneously, doesn’t figure to stick around when the Hawks are actually winning games. 

And that leads me to Ryan Donato who, if you’ve been following the Blackhawks in addition to your Sabres this year, has been one of the better scorers in hockey. Yeah, you read that right, Ryan Donato, who has never scored over 16 goals in a season, has been one of the league’s better scorers. 

Could Ryan Donato ultimately end up in Buffalo and help the Sabres?

In case you’re wondering, Ryan Donato already has eight goals this season, and he’s played in just 16 games. He’s also pitched in a trio of assists, giving him 11 points on the year, and second on the team next to Connor Bedard. 

With 34 hits, he’d also be a good fit for Lindy Ruff’s system, one that still lacks the physicality necessary despite the strides made earlier this year in free agency to try and change that identity. Donato doesn’t always take faceoffs, but he’s roughly 50-50 at the dot, which could also give the Blue and Gold help. 

Best yet, it would be tough for the Blackhawks to demand much in compensation for Donato unless he’s got something like 20-plus goals by January. I could see Donato getting close to that at the rate he’s going, so the sooner one inquires about him, the better off they’ll be. 

Overall, Ryan Donato might not sound like a flashy addition for fans, given his relatively adequate but unspectacular productivity in years past. But, he’s someone who looks to be enjoying a breakout campaign as a bit of a late bloomer, so I would have no qualms with him coming to the City of Good Neighbors should he be the forward Kevyn Adams manages to bring in.