With the end of the season approaching, Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato made something clear about his future alongside Anders Sorensen and Connor Bedard.

© Michael Reaves/Getty Images Ryan Donato #8 of the Chicago Blackhawks arrives to the red carpet prior to the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the United Center on October 21, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to mark down the days until the 2024-25 NHL season comes to an end, after a disappointing and ever deflating campaign. There aren’t many positive takeaways from this season. Despite Anders Sorensen’s appointment as interim head coach, star Connor Bedard hasn’t been able to produce consistently. However, there may be a silver lining as Ryan Donato made an encouraging five-word statement about his future.

The Blackhawks drag a four-game losing skid and lost seven of their last ten games in the NHL. However, losing isn’t the most concerning issue for Sorensen and the team. Instead, it’s how those losses have played out, and Bedard’s failure to provide as of late.

The 19-year-old star is going through a considerable slump in his production, registering just 3 points (one goal and two assists) in March. Moreover, Bedard‘s points total has gone down while his penalty minutes increased exponentially. The center was assessed game misconducts in the Hawks’ two most recent games, though both calls were, to say the least, controversial.

Despite the struggles, Bedard and Sorensen aren’t giving up on the team, pushing every day to get better. Donato, who will become an UFA during the offseason, is on the same page, as he made something clear about his plans for the future.

Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks arrives inside Wrigley Field prior to the 2024 NHL Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues on December 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

“I would love to stay,” Donato stated about his contract situation, per Chicago Sun-Times. “Ever since I’ve been here, it has felt like a second home to me. [My wife and I] had our first child here, and it’s been awesome. We love it in Chicago. If things work out, I would definitely love to be here.”

Top line duties

Ahead of the Blackhawks’ matchup with the Seattle Kraken on March 18, Sorensen tried out new forward lines during the team’s first practice back in Chi-Town. Donato has been assigned to the first line, joining Bedard and Frank Nazar. It will be a brand new combo for the Hawks, as the three had never been deployed on the same line during the season.

Donato hasn’t played on the first line since February 27, when the Blackhawks fell to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena by a score of 7-5. Donato registered an assist during the game, though him and Bedard finished with a -2 plus/minus.

Interim head coach Anders Sorensen of the Chicago Blackhawks speaks to the media after losing to the Winnipeg Jets at the United Center on December 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Bedard and Donato will hope for a different outcome when Chicago returns to United Center after their four-game road trip, in which the team went winless, only managing to get a point.