«Chicago could be a trade match for both needs, with two Blackhawks with Boston ties as targets: forward Ryan Donato and defenseman Connor Murphy,» Dupont wrote in an article published on Saturday. “Donato, once one of the Bruins’ top prospects up front (center/wing), in the offseason signed a four-year extension ($4 million AAV) to remain in Chicago in the wake of his career-high production (31-31-62) under then-coach Luke Richardson. He has fallen back this season (13-12-25) under new bench boss Jeff Blashill.
«More committed to strength and conditioning now than during his days in Boston when fresh off the Harvard campus, Donato, 29, could be a comfortable, versatile fit in Marco Sturm’s top six. In many ways (size, speed, production) his game mirrors what Sturm brought to the ice in his playing days.»