Chicago Blackhawks Extend Forward

The Chicago Blackhawks didn't let their top goal-scorer make it to free-agency.

Max Mezo | Jun 18, 2025

Mar 18, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Donato (8) warms up before a game against the Seattle Kraken at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images / Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

In this story:

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed forward Ryan Donato to a four-year, $16-million dollar contract extension, locking up the team’s leading goal-scorer through the 2028-29 season.

The deal carries a $4 million AAV and rewards the 29-year-old for his breakout season of 31 goals and 62 points. Donato provided very few bright spots for a rebuilding Blackhawks team. This past season with the Hawks, he more than doubled his production from the previous year. Along with his goal-scoring touch, Donato finished second in team scoring and fourth in team hits with 104, per MoneyPuck.com.

Back in 2023-24, Donato signed as a free agent with the Hawks to a two-year deal worth $2 million AAV. His first deal with the Hawks quickly became a bargain as Donato missed all but two games this year while providing some much-needed offense to complement young phenom Connor Bedard, who would often center Donato.

At this point in Donato’s career, he fits Chicago’s timeline for a rebuilding team. This past season, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson saw Donato’s growth as an emerging power forward. And decided not to wait until July 1st for other teams to gain his rights and snatch up his heavy game and scoring ability, which can help support a loaded prospect pool in the coming years for Chicago.

Like many general managers around the NHL in the coming weeks, Davidson is in the mix for some high-profile names, such as Mitch Marner, and this Donato move may just be the starting point for a busy off-season in Chicago.

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Published Jun 18, 2025

MAX MEZO

Max is a contributor for Break Away On SI. He has previously written for The Charlatan, The Hockey News, Editor in Leaf, and Capital Current, where he has covered topics mostly surrounding the NHL and has been writing about the NHL since 2022. Max is double majoring at Carleton University in Journalism & Media Communications. He is a die-hard North American sports fan, following the NHL, NFL, MLB, and NBA.