One of the Blackhawks pending free agents won’t be hitting the open market this offseason, as veteran forward Ryan Donato has a new contract in place.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the Blackhawks announced that they’ve signed Donato to a 4-year contract worth $16 million ($4M AAV).
FOUR MORE YEARS OF RYAN DONATO‼️
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 18, 2025
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Donato, 29, joined the Blackhawks two years ago, signing a two-year, $4 million ($2M AAV) when free agency opened on the first day of July in 2023. After a modest first season in Chicago with 30 points (12 G, 18 A) in 78 games, Donato enjoyed a breakout 2024-25 season, setting career highs in goals (31), assists (31), points (62) and average ice time (16:19). The combination of Donato’s production and his expiring contract led to heightened speculation that Donato would be one of the players moved at the trade deadline. But a deal never materialized, and now the veteran forward will be for several more seasons.
Donato is likely due for some regression next season, as his 17.0 shooting percentage during the 2024-25 season was well above his career rate of 11.1, and it’s hard to expect Donato to eclipse the 60-point plateau again in the future when the rest of his career has been spent in the 20s and 30s. Still, given that he was one of Chicago’s top producers at 5-on-5 last season — his 26 even-strength goals were the best on the team and Ilya Mikheyev second with just 17 — a $4 million AAV for a player who could be a reliable middle-six forward for the next few seasons is certainly better than letting that player walk in unrestricted free agency for nothing.