The Blackhawks trading pending unrestricted free agent forward Ryan Donato ahead of the March 7 deadline remains the likeliest outcome. It’s not a foregone conclusion, however, as Scott Powers of The Athletic writes Monday.
General manager Kyle Davidson isn’t as sold as moving on from Donato as he was from veteran Taylor Hall, who they sent to the Hurricanes for their own 2025 third-rounder in last month’s three-way Mikko Rantanen deal, Powers reports.
Suppose that’s the best offer they get for Donato. In that case, Powers said, there’s a strong chance they’ll opt to reap instead the benefits of him sticking around as a support player for the rest of the season to avoid overtaxing younger players’ development before engaging in extension talks.
But a first or second-round pick, whether in 2025 or 2026, likely makes it a more prudent move for Davidson to part ways with the winger. As Powers writes, the prospect of Donato sticking around in Chicago is murky. Now 28 and amid a career year, Donato has played for five clubs since entering the league in 2017 and will likely prioritize security on the open market this summer. The Blackhawks, cautious of overcommitting term to veterans outside of a potential big-fish splash in free agency, would rather keep a long-term slot open for one of their developing players rather than give Donato a four- or five-year commitment. If he’s willing to accept a short-term, higher-AAV deal, an approach Chicago has taken multiple times recently with players like Andreas Athanasiou and Jason Dickinson, that fits their short-term outlook.
Donato has already set career highs in goals (19) and points (37) and tied a career-high in assists (18) through 53 games. He’s also spent far more time down the middle than in the past, taking 335 faceoffs with a 46% win rate. The 6’0″ forward also has utility on either wing and plays a more physical game than his reputation begets, ranking third on the team with 89 hits.
Since Mikael Granlund and Marcus Pettersson have already fetched first-rounders on the rental market this year, there’s strong reason to believe Chicago could fetch a second for Donato. A first remains unlikely – Pettersson is arguably a top-10 shutdown defenseman in the league and subsequently agreed to a six-year extension in Vancouver. At the same time, Granlund has produced at a 72-point clip over the past two seasons on a profoundly flawed Sharks roster.
Even then, it’s questionable whether Chicago needs the draft capital more than quality talent to continue supporting players like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar down the stretch. The Hawks have two second-rounders in this year’s draft and three in 2026. An already-drafted prospect would likely be more enticing to Davidson, but it’s unclear if any Donato suitors would be willing to part ways with one.
Not unusual for a pending UFA to give that extra effort in a contract year to secure the next deal, It’s amazing how that works.
^ Wow a rare comment that isn’t super-negative and one that, albeit obvious, is true!
What a start to my week!
Yeah I don’t think he’s even a short term player with upside. I could be wrong. It’s been known to happen. He’s having a career year. Take advantage of it. Package him with a prospect or a draft pick to get somebody who is. They’re at the point where the kids need to play. Might have Moore and Rinzel and Hayes next year. They shouldn’t be handing out any more Mrazek and Anathesiou deals anymore.
Donato is a perfect fit as a 4th line, 9 plus minutes a game guy.
I’m hear to please!
Old article but I’m here to give Donato props. The more you put him on the ice, the more goals he’ll score. He’s not flashy but he’s got good hands and he can find the twine, and he plays hard and creatively. He’s been doing it for years and I’m not surprised he’s where he is with the Hawks. Problem is he’s not a rip shots from the circle guy or dazzling skater. He just plays A-level grindy hockey. As wilf said.. 9 minutes. Maybe I’d give him 11. Put him on the Panthers and you’ve got a pretty good looking playoff offense there. ‘Course Chicago will probably be asking too much.