Sounds like the Chicago Blackhawks are going to extend Ryan Donato or try to get a first-round pick in a deal

The Chicago Blackhawks might be leaning toward keeping Ryan Donato.

Hockey insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Hawks are engaged in extension talks to keep their leading goal-scorer from reaching unrestricted free agency this offseason.

Even if they cannot come to an agreement, LeBrun reports the Hawks will have to be blown away to trade Donato.

The blow away price is likely a first-round pick.

That is according to CHGO Blackhawks Podcast co-host and reporter Mario Tirabassi.

It makes sense to have a high asking price given how the market has shaken out so far. Other teams have dealt away players with similar or less production and got a premium draft pick back.

The New York Islanders just picked up a first-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche for center Brock Nelson who has 43 points on the season and is 33.

Donato is 28 and has 46 points on the season. Plus, a lot of his 23 goals have come via five-on-five.

The caution when it comes to extending Donato is that this just could be his career season when it comes to scoring goals.

The Hawks extended Jason Dickinson last year too after his scoring exploded. He has not come close his career production during the current campaign.

However, the Hawks also extended Dickinson for what he brings defensively from the center position and the positive influence he has in the locker room.

By all accounts Donato is a high character guy that the team might want to keep around to help the exciting prospects on their way get acclimated to the NHL.

Really it comes down to how many years and how big of a cap hit an extension will be. Really, it is more about years than the cap hit since the cap is going up and the Hawks still have plenty of cap space.

If this is say, a two-year extension, keep Donato and see if he is just a late-bloomer. Three years would be the max. Anything more than that, better to get another draft pick to help complete this rebuild this offseason.