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Why Ryan Donato could be a good fit for the Vegas Golden Knights

By Andrew Steele-Davis

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 17: Ryan Donato (6) of the Minnesota Wild looks on during the second period of the NHL game between the Minnesota Wilds and the Montreal Canadiens on October 17, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 17: Ryan Donato (6) of the Minnesota Wild looks on during the second period of the NHL game between the Minnesota Wilds and the Montreal Canadiens on October 17, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 17: Ryan Donato (6) of the Minnesota Wild looks on during the second period of the NHL game between the Minnesota Wilds and the Montreal Canadiens on October 17, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 17: Ryan Donato (6) of the Minnesota Wild looks on during the second period of the NHL game between the Minnesota Wilds and the Montreal Canadiens on October 17, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

It is hardly a secret that the Vegas Golden Knights are in dire need of secondary scoring, so could they help their cause by adding a player that is on the trading block?

Outside of their potent top six, which has ironically slumped in the last six games, the Vegas Golden Knights haven’t got much production from the rest of their lineup and that is a major concern going forward.

So, in order to try and address that particular flaw, the Golden Knights should look to go out of the building for help.

And that help could come in the form of Ryan Donato, who is being shopped around by the Minnesota Wild according to multiple reports.

According to Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet, Donato’s name is out there but the Wild want to be patient with the young talent, although they could be tempted to cut their losses if the right offer slides across the table.

Donato, who was a prolific scorer for Harvard University, was acquired by the Minnesota Wild as part of the trade that sent Charlie Coyle to the Boston Bruins prior to last year’s Trade Deadline.

And Donato got his Wild career off to a good start with 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 22 games at the end of 2018-19, although he has regressed this season with just one goal and two assists for three points in 17 games this year.

However, the talent is clearly there and the 23-year-old could slot anywhere into the Golden Knights’ bottom six group.

Let’s take a look at the pros, the cons and what any potential trade with the Minnesota Wild could look like…

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