Former Krakens player seen on the top line with Connor Bedard in Chicago

In a surprising lineup move, the Chicago Blackhawks have placed former Seattle Kraken player, Ryan Donato, on the top line alongside the young sensation, Connor Bedard, and seasoned veteran, Taylor Hall.

The three are seen in the red jerseys


Ryan Donato's journey has been quite remarkable. He initially joined the Seattle Kraken as a free agent on September 13, 2021.


Donato quickly made history by scoring the first regular-season goal in Kraken's history during their inaugural game, despite a 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on October 12, 2021.

His impressive performance led to a one-year, $1.2 million contract extension with the Kraken on July 27, 2022, after achieving a career-high of 16 goals in the previous season.

A Move to Chicago

However, things took a turn when Donato signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 1, 2023, marking a significant transition in his career.

Donato's Impressive Stats

Donato's stats during his time with the Seattle Kraken speak volumes about his contribution to the team.

In the 2021-22 season, he played 74 games, scored 16 goals, provided 15 assists, and accumulated 31 points. His consistency continued into the 2022-23 season, with 71 games played, 14 goals, 13 assists, and 27 points.

The new lineup featuring Bedard, Hall, and Donato has certainly piqued the interest of Blackhawks fans, and it remains to be seen how this trio will perform in the upcoming season.