Blackhawks must negotiate new contract for Ryan Donato

The Chicago Blackhawks need to negotiate a new contract for forward Ryan Donato, who has expressed a desire to stay with the team. General manager Kyle Davidson opted not to trade Donato before the deadline, valuing his performance and commitment. Donato has had a standout season, scoring 51 points in 65 games, significantly improving from previous years. He is expected to receive a raise from his current $2 million salary, with the Blackhawks having sufficient cap space to accommodate this. Potential contract comparisons include deals signed by Anthony Duclair and Frank Vatrano, suggesting a cap hit around $4 million could be reasonable. Donato's recent performance and desire for stability may influence the negotiations.