The Chicago Blackhawks played a small role in the NHL Trade Deadline that passed on Friday. During a rebuild, that’s to be expected. However, one name that generated significant speculation was forward Ryan Donato. Whether or not general manager Kyle Davidson would trade Donato for assets constituted significant debate. Ultimately, the Blackhawks decided to keep the 28-year-old center, who is having a career season with 23 goals and 24 assists. Despite the potential return the Blackhawks could have secured, keeping him and slotting him into this rebuild was the right decision for the organization.
Blackhawks’ Two Schools of Thought
This trade deadline was a seller’s market. Teams were willing to overpay for the players they wanted to acquire. (The Tampa Bay Lightning sent away two first-round picks for Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand.) Thus, many argued that the Blackhawks should have traded Donato because his stock would never be higher. In return, the team would most likely have gained, at a minimum, one first-round pick. For a rebuilding team like the Blackhawks, draft capital and assets are crucial to future success, so that opportunity isn’t easy to let slip away. Trade Donato for a first-round pick and continue to stockpile. Straightforward logic.
Conversely, the Blackhawks need to retain some NHL veterans to steer the ship during the rebuild. You can’t let the young guns flounder without leadership. Donato brings a work ethic and commitment that’s infectious in a locker room, and particularly so to younger players. While Donato will likely never eclipse the numbers he’s posting this season, everything else he brings to the organization is worth keeping him. After all, the Blackhawks have plenty of draft capital and prospects in the pipeline. Julien BriseBois, general manager of the Lightning, said, “I’d rather have a lineup full of good players than a bank of a ton of draft picks.” The Blackhawks can learn something from that approach.
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Ultimately, Davidson kept Donato, revealing that the price he set was never met. “Someone’s going to have to come and really move us to move Ryan and force our hand. And you know what? That just didn’t happen. We hold a lot of value in Ryan, in what he’s done here…we held a lot of value in his presence here. That’s what we went with over the deadline.” Davidson realizes he needs to keep players like Donato during this rebuild.
Donato’s Attitude and Potential Contract Extension
Another facet of Donato’s situation, and an often overlooked component in evaluating roster management, is that he wants to be in Chicago. Before the season, he didn’t hide the fact that he was going to work hard to earn a contract and hopefully stay in the Windy City. He reiterated the same message before last night’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, saying, “I’m hoping to help the organization build something here.” Trading away a player with his work ethic and attitude would’ve been more detrimental than beneficial because that leadership will be invaluable in this rebuild.
Ryan Donato on the #Blackhawks pregame on his feelings on remaining in CHI after the trade deadline:
— Brooke (@brooke_lofo) March 8, 2025
“I feel blessed. Ever since I signed here, I’ve been super happy. Started our family here. You know, I’m hoping to help the organization build something here.”
🙌
Of course, this will all be warm, fuzzy, sentimental expressions if the Blackhawks don’t sign him to a contract extension. Donato, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, can’t walk away for nothing. Fortunately, Davidson has already begun the negotiation process. Others also worry that overpaying Donato will hamstring the team moving forward. But it’d have to be a significant overpayment, given how much cap space the Blackhawks have and that the salary cap will rise in the next three seasons. Davidson has this all factored into his calculation, so it’s not a serious concern.
A Simple Calculation
This decision came down to the fact that Donato was worth more to the Blackhawks on the roster than any assets the team would’ve received trading him. As the younger players develop, Donato will provide leadership, stability, and production that will complement the talent around him. Once again, Davidson proves he can make the right decisions under pressure.
