Unrestricted 4th year, free agent center Ryan Donato(9) picks up a 1-way NHL at the league minimum to start skating with Seattle Kracken 2021/2022.
The 6′ 192 lbs. forward had a career high 14 assists in 2020/2021 for San Jose Sharks, but was not given a qualifying offer to stay.
Originally a Boston Bruins‘ 2nd round draft pick in the 2014 draft (#56 overall), he left Harvard University Crimson after 3 years to sign his entry level contract.
He played only a short time in junior hockey after graduating Dexter Southfield School, originally joining USPHL Premiere South Shore Kings before moving along to 4 games with the US National U18 Team and finally 8 contests in the USHL for Omaha Lancers, scoring 5 goals and 5 assists, then adding another tally in 3 playoff games.
The Scituate, MA native was traded during his rookie season to Minnesota Wild, where he really seemed to gel, but was traded as the new season approached.
Old enough to know the league pretty well at this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 25-year old connects in a new environment.
After playing a career high 74 games, he scores a new best 16 goals and 15 assists, but is left unsigned at the beginning of free agency to negotiate his comeback: 1-year, $1.2M AAV for 2022/2023 and he will try to add to his totals on what’s definitely going to be a better 2nd year team.
He finds success in his 2nd frame in the Pacific Northwest, but is a free agent and heads off to the big rebuilding rink in the sky, signing through 2024/2025 for $2M AAV with Chicago Blackhawks.