Blackhawks Breakaway Which pending UFAs, RFAs should Blackhawks bring back in 2025-26?
Apr 22, 2025
The hosts dive into which unrestricted and restricted free agents the Blackhawks should retain for 2025-26. They speculate on Ryan Donato's next contract and what might be delaying it. The discussion shifts to young talent, particularly Wyatt Kaiser, and the implications of player performances on team strategies. Goaltending dynamics are explored alongside playoff highlights and key individual performances. Finally, they critique ESPN's coverage of the playoffs, revealing concerns over authenticity in sports broadcasting.
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Contract Term Disagreement on Donato
- Negotiations for Ryan Donato's contract are stalled mainly due to term length disagreements.
- Blackhawks lean toward shorter deals, while Donato's camp desires longer term for security.
Donato's Career Year Is An Outlier
- Ryan Donato's career-best season is a massive outlier, doubling his previous best stats.
- The Blackhawks hesitate to reward one breakout year with a long, costly contract.
Kurashev's Role Shift Hurt Performance
- Philip Kurashev struggled after losing his top-line role and power-play time.
- His offensive production declined, causing him to lose a regular lineup spot.