Projecting Chicago Blackhawks free agent Ryan Donato's contract in free agency
Photo credit: NHL.COM
Ryan Donato will be one of the most interesting free agents available in the Chicago Blackhawks organization. Here is a projection of his next contract.
At the last trade deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks made a massive move by sending veteran defenseman Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers in return for Spencer Knight.
However, after many rumors, they ultimately decided to keep some surprising players.
Most teams, especially those in a rebuild process, like to trade away pending free agents to avoid risking seeing them walk away on the market with nothing in return during the summer.
After a great 2024-25 season, Blackhawks' Ryan Donato should be able to ask for a significant raise, and it could be what pushes him out of Chicago.
Indeed, after he reportedly turned down a three-year, $4 million AAV contract in Chicago, fans and analysts are wondering what his future in the NHL will look like.
He provided interesting insights in his end-of-season press conference, when he mentioned how he wanted to sign a contract with term, hopefully with Chicago:
"We've talked, and I've expressed many times how much I love being here and want to be part of the future. I know I need to keep working on my own game and help the team, but also help mentor the younger guys. There's a lot of exciting opportunity here, and I've made it clear I want to be part of that.
We've been in a position where we've bounced around a bit, so the idea of being in one place for more than a couple of years is definitely appealing. Stability is a big factor for me. I feel super blessed and thankful, and hopefully things go well so we can find a spot where that's possible."
We've been in a position where we've bounced around a bit, so the idea of being in one place for more than a couple of years is definitely appealing. Stability is a big factor for me. I feel super blessed and thankful, and hopefully things go well so we can find a spot where that's possible."
Such a declaration hints that the $4 million AAV wasn't problematic in the Hawks' offer, but that the three-year term was.
With that in mind, if the Hawks truly want to keep him, offering him a five-year contract would make sense. Considering the NHL salary cap rise, offering the same amount for five years wouldn't be a big difference for the Blackhawks.
But if he wants to be part of a competing team, agreeing to take a smaller salary to help the team manage money would be a great gesture.
| POLL | ||
MAI 31 | 309 ANSWERS Projecting Chicago Blackhawks free agent Ryan Donato's contract in free agency Do you think Ryan Donato will sign with another team this summer? | ||
| Yes | 200 | 64.7 % |
| No | 109 | 35.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
