Blackhawks Re-Sign Ryan Donato, But Forward Core Still Looks Thin

Yikes.

This is what Kyle Davidson is working with at the start of the NHL offseason. From the sounds of what Blackhawks insiders are saying, there doesn't seem to be much hope for Mitch Marner signing with the Blackhawks. There aren't any other free agents worth pursuing who can fill that obvious star-shaped hole on the wing. 

The above roster assumes Oliver Moore spends some time in the AHL. I'm also assuming that new head coach Jeff Blashill will play Teuvo Teravainen in the top-six (let's knock on wood). Ilya Mikheyev shouldn't be in a top-six spot, but everyone else isn't a top-six player. We already know what Lukas Reichel is on this team unless he pulls a total 180. Ryan Donato is in the top six for much of the same reasons Mikheyev is there.

Donato isn't a top-six player, especially on a team that aspires to be competitive in the playoffs. While he can fill in on the second line when necessary, if the Blackhawks want to make significant strides this season, they need to acquire better wingers than those currently on the roster. 

That leaves Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Teuvo Teravainen as the Blackhawks' only true top-six players. And that's being generous about Teravainen. 

If free agency isn't going to work out, we've already looked at trade options like JJ Peterka and Jason Robertson. Both would be great additions to this team, but both are unlikely acquisitions because the Blackhawks don't have anything worth trading. 

When discussing the possibility of acquiring a winger from within the organization who possesses top-six caliber, it's a long shot. While Nick Lardis could potentially fit a top-six role, claiming he does so now is premature. It's likely he will begin next season in the AHL. Any player the Blackhawks draft this year is not expected to immediately transition to the NHL. If the Hawks are fortunate enough to select Michael Misa, he might make it to the NHL, but that remains uncertain.

For the forward core to make significant progress next season, it will hinge on substantial development from Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, along with addressing the gaps on the wing. The Blackhawks are in need of a genuine winger, which will necessitate a bold move. If Ryan Donato turns out to be the biggest acquisition of the offseason, it raises concerns about Bedard's progression and whether the team can genuinely advance toward its goals.