He was traded, scratched, and non-tendered. Nobody really wanted him. For years, Ryan Donato looked like just another depth forward, useful, but never irreplaceable. Yet last season, the journeyman forward shocked the hockey world by scoring 31 goals for the Chicago Blackhawks It was his first 30-goal season in the NHL he had actually never even come close before. His previous career-high was just 16 goals. #chicagoblackhawks #hockey #nhl #nhlprospects #icehockey #blackhawks #connorbedard #ryandonato
credit @WhiteBatAudio
@Chicago Blackhawks
15 Comments
How many goals does Donato put up this year boys???👀
35
He worked on his skating and came back a lot faster.
He did get more ice time with the Hawks, and he wouldn’t be the first guy that had a career year in his late ‘20s .
I have him Down for 20 goals and and 40 points, and I think the Hawks will be happy with that. He is a true pro, accepts his role and works hard both ways every shift, a good role model for the kids, which by itself earns him his salary.
44 at least arguably the best player on the hawks and now with 84 games it should be easy for him.
Less. Great year great Blackhawk #8 but statistically his production will be less. 87,88,19, 90. All players have a huge year at 28 years old but then production drops off. That means McDavid will also produce less. Go hawks.
He changed his training regimen. Worked on his speed and egdework. Got stronger. The boys love him. He's humble and hardworking. He has a young family. I see no reason why he can't crack 30 again.
I don't think Bedard was his reason for breaking out. Guy was one of the hardest workers on the ice every night and it paid off.
I’m not quite sure if he hits 30 again but I’ll take 25+
Is nobody going to talk about how unbelievable that goal in the opening shot was??
30+ goals a year for the next few seems a stretch, but I can see a more realistic 25+ goal/year guy, which is still a massive asset to this Hawks team. Good feeling about this dude – the right guy for the role. His work ethic makes up for 80% of his goals. The guy is a gamer. "Sweating" it out every game. Always good to see as a fan.
He doesn't need to be a 30 goal scorer. If he can just be a hard working middle six guy he'll be super valuable. He is due for some regression next season but I can really see him being a part of the future, with ~15-20 goals a year. Love watching him play
I liked Donato when he was with the Wild just was not quite ready for top 6. He’s certainly ready for that now and I see him as a guy who will score between 25-30 for the next 3-5 years.
I mean he one of few NHL looking players on our AHL team.. That’s about it.
I'd love to see Donato score 30 again but I'm expecting around 25. He's definitely a nice player to have though
Last September countless Hawks fans were calling him a bum