The Chicago Blackhawks need to dig in and get a deal done with Ryan Donato soon as free agency is approaching quickly. As the team didn't trade him at the deadline and have given him the opportunity to break out, Chicago can't let him walk for nothing.
Ryan Donato (Talia Sprague-Imagn Images)
Donato is leading the Blackhawks with 31 goals and it is eight more than the next closest player. He is also just three points behind Connor Bedard with two fewer games played and four fewer minutes of ice time per game (43 seconds less on the power play).
The Blackhawks could have easily moved Donato in the final year of his deal with a cap hit of just $2 million. Instead, the team kept him around and have been working on extending him. It appears as though the sides aren't that close on a number or term, but the longer this drags out, the more other teams looking for upgrades in free agency are going to circle the waters.
If Donato makes it to free agency, expect the Boston Bruins to target their former draft pick from 2014. He was selected in the second round and only lasted 46 games over two seasons with the Bruins before being traded.
Considering how well Donato debuted in 2017-18, he should have gotten to this level of production sooner, but the opportunity with no team was there until Chicago. I don't think the Bruins would make that mistake again if they were to bring him back.
If the Blackhawks aren't going to give Donato the money and term he has clearly earned this season, someone else like the Bruins who are desperate to get back to the playoffs will.
