Ryan Donato must prove last season was not a fluke with the Blackhawks

At the start of last season, if you had told an average Blackhawks fan that Ryan Donato would end the season as the team's leading goal scorer, I am not sure they would believe you. Donato, who had never scored more than 16 goals in a season, nearly doubled his total with 31 goals in 80 games—and now he needs to prove he can do it again.

With the start of training camp, all eyes are on the Blackhawks' young stars and who will stand out from the pack. However, there is another interesting storyline to follow at camp, and that has to revolve around Donato.

Donato, 29, signed a four-year $16 million contract right before free agency this past summer. With his new deal, he has the second-longest contract of all forwards on the team, and he is someone that general manager Kyle Davidson believes has a role to play in Chicago.

Donato ended last season on a scoring heater with Blackhawks

From March 1 until the end of last season, Donato registered 12 goals and 22 points in 23 games—not a bad way to end the season. From the first puck drop last year, Donato became an integral player for former head coach Luke Richardson and later interim head coach Anders Sorensen. He was someone the team could use in all situations and looked a different player from the guy a year prior.

Donato played with speed and wasn't afraid to get in the dirty areas last year, and that shouldn't change with new head coach Jeff Blashill, someone who values a two-way game.

To start the season, Donato should have a leg up on some of his younger teammates. Having played with five teams over the years, he has experience with playing in different systems, something guys like Bedard, Nazar and Reichel have not been through.

As a veteran forward who plays with speed and intensity, Donato is exactly the type of guy Blashill needs on the ice. That might explain why Donato is already getting minutes on the top line with Connor Bedard and newcomer Andre Burakovsky.

Last season's success might have come as a surprise for Donato and the Blackhawks, but this year there will be expectations. Only time will tell whether or not he can lead the team in scoring once again.