Former Kraken Ryan Donato Thriving in Chicago

Ryan Donato’s place in Kraken history was sealed the moment he skated onto the ice in the franchise’s inaugural season. In the Kraken’s very first preseason game, he notched the team’s first goal. Not one to stop there, he went on to score Seattle’s first official goal in the regular season during a hard-fought 4-3 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights. Donato wrapped up that season with career highs, bringing consistent energy and a scoring touch to the Kraken lineup. Though his numbers dipped in his second season as he transitioned into a bottom-six role, Donato remained a reliable contributor whenever he got ice time.

After leaving Seattle in free agency, Donato landed in Chicago, where his production initially looked similar to his role with the Kraken—mainly providing depth scoring. But this season, he’s started to stand out in a big way. In his first 11 games with the Blackhawks, Donato has scored seven goals, even notching a dramatic shootout game-winner against the LA Kings. His hot streak and versatility have earned him a promotion to Chicago’s top line, skating alongside young superstar Connor Bedard.

How long this streak lasts for Donato remains to be seen. But as the Kraken’s scoring woes persist, it raises the question of whether Seattle could have pushed harder to keep him in the mix—even as a third-line contributor. The contrast is even sharper when you consider André Burakovsky, who signed a long-term deal with the Kraken in 2022 but has struggled to stay healthy and has yet to score his first goal this season

In the end, Donato’s recent success shines a light on a “what if” scenario for the Kraken. Could Seattle have benefitted from keeping a player like Donato, who’s currently showing that he can produce when given the right opportunities? While Kraken fans cheer on the current roster, Donato’s play in Chicago may serve as a reminder of what might have been.