Donato's Off-Season Training Has Led to Impressive Start for Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are 4-7-1 on the season and are looking for some more offense to give them the edge in games. This isn't going to come from a trade, but from the players already on the roster. Head coach Luke Richardson expects the talent to be able to provide more and it is going to lead to more wins if they do.

So far this season, Ryan Donato has been the most impressive offensive talent.

Richardson had only positive things to say about Donato, noting, "I think you really notice (the change of speed). He's came in great shape, had a good camp. He's a guy I think you can always move around. That's probably going to be his career. Not always on a bad reason moving him down lines, but sometimes it's to help other lines, sometimes moving him up right now. He's our top goal scorer."

Donato has only played 10 games while the team has played 12. This is what makes his goals and points even more impressive when compared to the other players on the Blackhawks. He leads the team with six goals and is second on the team with eight points. This is being done with just 13:03 average time on ice per game.

The 28-year-old has set a career high of 16 goals and 31 points in 2021-22 with the Seattle Kraken and hasn't topped that. He is well on his way to having the most productive season of his career and it is earning him playing time.

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Richardson also said, "So why not put him with creative players and put him on the power play where he has been a little bit off and on this year. That's our hot hand. We need some goals right now, so let's try the guy who's hot right now."

Donato was just moved up to the top line and he assisted on the game-tying goal in the Blackhawks shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings. That wasn't the only thing he did though. Donato scored the game-sealing shootout winner with a very skilled goal.

Not only is Donato now playing with Connor Bedard and Philipp Kurashev on the top line, he has been moved up to the top power-play unit as well.

What's the most impressive about Donato this season is how effective he has been with limited opportunity and he's made the absolute most of it. The other three players on the Blackhawks with at least seven points all have at least four power-play points while Donato has none. Could we see him take the team lead in points now that he has a chance to add to his offense at a greater rate?

At this point, the Blackhawks have to be thinking of extending Donato because of the swiss army knife he is and the fact that he's tapping into his potential that's always been there.

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