What does a successful season look like for Ryan Donato?

Ryan Donato will be entering his fourth season with the Chicago Blackhawks, and he is one to watch. The last two seasons included a career-high year (62 points) in 2024-25, followed by a season where his points dipped by almost half (30 points). It brings up a storyline of what will come of his production in 2026-27.

What contributed to two contrasting seasons

Donato's 2024-25 season was outstanding. It wasn't just a career-high in points, but it was also his 31 goals that blew away his previous career-high of 16 goals. He was an asset in any lineup role, whether it was top-six forward or fourth line center. It earned him a four-year contract extension.

Then came last season, where his most consistent line included him, Ilya Mikheyev, and Jason Dickinson. After Dickinson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, besides Mikheyev, Dontato also spent a good chunk of time with players like Frank Nazar, Andre Burakovsky, and Andrew Mangiapane. But that third line was a consistent home for him.

As our Greg Boysen pointed out about Donato's dip in production last year, his deployment wasn't the same as his career year, with the diminished top-six and power play time. Head coach Jeff Blashill wanted players, including Donato, to earn those significant roles, and in January, he also acknowledged the challenge of producing when not getting the same level of opportunity Donato had before. He also noted at the time that Donato's "probably been a little bit snake bitten.."

So, threre was a lot that went into last season.

But, despite the difference in roles, his 30 points were ranked seventh on the team.

How can Donato be successful in 2026-27?

I actually think next season will benefit Donato more. With the new-look top six, including Patrick Kane and Roman Kansterov, it seems like Donato won't be getting a ton of time there. He could likely find himself as a bottom-six regular, which is just fine. The bottom-six benefits from a burst of speed, skill, and hard work. A "sparkplug" as our Gail Kauchak described him.

All are traits that Donato excels in.

I think last year's production from Donato stood out more, not because it was so different than the previous year, but because it felt like his goal scoring felt more urgently needed, as last year's roster really struggled to put the puck in the net. Outside of Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi, who each reached the 30-goal mark, no one else on the team eclipsed more than 18.

However, going into next season, there won't be that bright a spotlight on him. It won't feel like such a demand for Donato to find that career-year in goals, since the team added more goal-scorers to hopefully help the group, like the aforementioned Kane and Kantserov.

Meaning, I think this gives Donato a chance to really shine. He can thrive on the bottom-six, which has been his forte. He will still be leaned on in that role, and the bonus is that he can certainly still find that scoring touch there. If he can continue to put up 30-point seasons, that will be adequate.

The 15 goals he had last year is good for a bottom-six player. If he eclipses that, as he's shown he can, even better.

Donato has always been a Swiss army knife-type player for the Blackhawks, an element admired by both the coach and his teammates. The one they can use anywhere in the lineup and on special teams, and that will continue to be valuable to the team next season.

He has brought an element of surprise to his game since joining the Blackhawks. He also has the ability to be a difference-maker, and that will be something to keep an eye on.

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