NHL trade deadline profile: Ryan Donato

Donato could help the New Jersey Devils score more at 5v5 – but is he the right fit?

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It’s no secret the New Jersey Devils need to add offense to their lineup in advance of the trade deadline.

Whether they go for a top-6 option, or work around the edges in the bottom-6, the expectation is they’ll add at least one player who can give them a jolt at 5v5.

I’ve already profiled a couple of names (Jake Evans and, more recently, Oliver Bjorkstrand) who could or should be on the team’s wishlist leading up to the deadline.

Up next is a more under the radar option in Chicago Blackhawks winger Ryan Donato.

The good

Donato has been one of the lone bright spots for the Hawks this season. He has already set career highs in goals (19) and points (37) despite a healthy chunk of the schedule remaining.

Donato has done a lot of his damage at 5v5, where he’s quietly produced at a very high clip.

He has scored 16 goals in that state, tying him with names like Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele for 16th in the NHL.

Jordan Kyrou, Jack Hughes, David Pastrnak, Connor McDavid, Jason Robertson, and Artemi Panarin are just a few of the many stars Donato has bested in 5v5 goal scoring.

While Donato has ran hot this season with a 15.3 shooting percentage, he’s a career 10.5% shooter so he’s always had finishing talent.

Even if he were shooting 11%, which is more in line with the norm, he’d still have 14 total goals to his credit – a mark bested by only New Jersey’s four star forwards and PP1 specialist Stefan Noesen.

His scoring prowess can be better attributed to ranking top-60 in expected goals per 60, and generating 5v5 scoring chances at the same rate as McDavid, rather than simply getting lucky.