Ryan Donato earned his contract with the Blackhawks but now the real test begins

Ryan Donato was arguably the best player on the ice last season for the Blackhawks.

Donato, 29, led the Blackhawks in goals with 31 on the season, doing so in a contract year no less. Due to his great play, Kyle Davidson gave out one of his biggest contracts as GM last week when he signed Donato to a four-year $16 million contract carrying a cap hit of $4 million a year.

Donato, who has bounced around from team to team since being drafted in 2014 by the Boston Bruins, found his first real home in the NHL as he enters his tenth season. When the puck drops on the 2025-26 NHL Season, Donato will start his third season with the Blackhawks, marking his longest stint with any NHL club.

For the Blackhawks, keeping Donato around is a win. At just 29 years old, Donato has a lot of good hockey ahead of him. He should be a reliable veteran presence on the Hawks by the time they are competing in a few seasons, but his role next season is what really matters.

The Blackhawks need Ryan Donato to do it all over again next season.

With the contract behind him and a handful of prospects stepping into the Blackhawks organization—to say nothing of any potential moves the Hawks make within the next few weeks. The Blackhawks are going to be a better team next season.

Donato will once again have to earn his ice time, earn his spot on the power play, and show that he can consistently be a top scorer. The Blackhawks need Donato to continue to push himself night in and night out.

During a recent press availability with reporters, Donato spoke of his love for Chicago and the opportunity with the team. He even addressed the possibility of leaving in free agency.

"Obviously, there's rumors and all that stuff, temptations of the free market, but for me, I loved Chicago, my wife loves Chicago, we had our first child there," Donato said via Scott Powers of The Athletic.

The Blackhawks need guys with loyalty. Guys who want to buy into what the Blackhawks are building right now, and with Donato they found that guy, but now they need him to continue to compete and even lead with such a young team around him.