NHL trade rumors: Boston Bruins look to bring back Ryan Donato as post-Olympic roster shake-up looms on horizon

The Olympic break is officially over, and with the roster freeze now in the rearview mirror, the clock is officially ticking towards the NHL trade deadline, and it promises to be a wild ride. For the Boston Bruins, the next 11 days will be critical in determining whether or not they are all-in on a playoff push, looking to shake up their roster, or attempting to pull off the rarest of feats: buying and selling at the NHL trade deadline.

The Boston Bruins, who sit in the final spot in the Eastern Conference wild-card standings, find themselves in a bit of a pickle as they head towards the NHL trade deadline. Having pulled off the incredible sell-off at last year’s trade deadline, which netted a plethora of valuable future assets, general manager Don Sweeney is now faced with a whole new set of circumstances: how to balance their need to be competitive in the short term with their long-term roster plans in the midst of a playoff push.

Boston Bruins trade rumors heat up as Ryan Donato's return gains momentum

One name that has been mentioned in trade rumors is that of former Boston Bruins forward Ryan Donato, who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks and had a breakout campaign last year, notching a career-high 31 goals and 31 assists, which led to a four-year extension with a $4 million annual salary. However, he has struggled this year, notching only 13 goals and 12 assists, which could make him a trade candidate as the Chicago Blackhawks continue to rebuild.

Born in 1996, Ryan Donato’s increased fitness level and maturity since departing Boston, where he joined the team shortly after graduating from Harvard University, make him a well-rounded top-six player. He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round, 56th overall, in the 2014 NHL entry draft. He completed his junior season leading the Crimson with 43 points (26 goals, 17 assists) in 29 games and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. His combination of speed, strength, and scoring ability is similar to that of Sturm, making the case for a return to Boston even stronger.

However, this potential move also creates roster questions. Boston already has several strong bottom-six forwards, many of whom have surprised in their play this year. Adding Ryan Donato may further bolster the roster, but it may not solve the underlying issues unless a larger trade is also made.

This potential trade has sparked rumors of larger trade frameworks. Chicago defenseman Connor Murphy has also been rumored to potentially interest Boston. In return, the Bruins may look to trade expiring contracts such as Viktor Arvidsson or Andrew Peeke to help with cap management.

As the March 6th deadline draws near, Boston’s plans are one of the most compelling narratives in the league. Whether the Bruins look to make a nostalgic return, a major upgrade, or something in between, their moves will likely have a major impact on the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

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