Donato has been an excellent surprise for the Blackhawks this season.
Ryan Donato has been on pace to set career highs in many offensive categories all season long for the Chicago Blackhawks as he started hot and has been one of the most consistent and best players for the team.
What's more impressive about Donato is that he has played up and down the lineup in all three forward positions and logged less than 15 minutes of ice time per game this season while ranking second in goals (16) and third in points on the Blackhawks (32). He also does this while getting spotty top power-play usage, playing physically, and having one of the best +/- on the team.
Donato's great season is coming at a perfect time as he is a UFA at the end of the season and is likely headed to a playoff-bound team to have a chance at a Stanley Cup. The 28-year-old is right in his prime and even though his opportunity isn't as good as it should be considering his impressive performance this season, he is still pushing through to hit career highs.
With a goal and two points against the Edmonton Oilers in his 51st game of the season, Donato set a career high in points. His previous career high was 31 points in 74 games for the Seattle Kraken in 2021-22. He also had 30 points last season, his first with the Blackhawks, in 78 games.
Donato has missed two games this season, so he can max out at 80 games if he stays with Chicago. He could get lucky and go to a team that hasn't played as many games and up his total with a chance to produce even more.
Along with setting a career high in points, Donato tied his career high in goals with 16, also set in the 2021-22 season with the Kraken.
Only two of Donato's goals and six of his 32 points this season have come on the power play, so he is proving how valuable he is at 5-on-5 where most of the game is played. It is great to see what Donato has been able to do this season and whatever happens, I'm sure he can continue his upward trajectory and get more opportunity.
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