The Chicago Blackhawks didn't trade Ryan Donato in the midst of a career year for a couple of reasons. The offers were too low and the team believes he can be re-signed.
Ryan Donato (Talia Sprague-Imagn Images)
A three year, $12 million ($4 million AAV) offer has been on the table for Donato since ahead of the trade deadline and the 28-year-old has yet to accept. According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, there has been no discussion since that previous offer was made, but the sides are expected to try to work things out before free agency.
The Blackhawks will have more time to do so as they have already been eliminated from playoff contention and will have 2.5 months to see where talks go. With all of the money Chicago has and the season Donato has put together, I can see why he is waiting to accept. I think he can get more money and he deserves it with 25 goals and 55 points in 70 games on a $2 million AAV contract.
Donato is first on the team in goals by five, third on the team in assists, and one point back of the team lead in points. With players like Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi making $5.4 million AAV or more, it is an easy comparison for Donato looking to finally cash in and stay in one place for more than a couple of years.
I think the Blackhawks will go up in money and potentially term as the team needs players like Donato if they are to take steps forward and climb out of a rebuild.
