The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t waste a lot time after the Stanley Cup was awarded to the Florida Panthers to get to work on their offseason strikes. The re-signed certainly one of their high gamers from the 2024-25 season, made a commerce with the Seattle Kraken, and are engaged on a buyout. Plus, two Blackhawks’ legends make the information on Friday. Let’s get to it.
Donato Re-Signed
An necessary order of enterprise this offseason was coming to phrases with ahead Ryan Donato. The unrestricted free agent had a profession 2024-25 season, posting 31 targets and 63 factors for the Blackhawks. If the Blackhawks weren’t going to re-sign him, they might’ve wanted to interchange his scoring and manufacturing with one other pick-up. However the two events introduced a deal on Wednesday (June 18).
FOUR MORE YEARS OF RYAN DONATO‼️
📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/dmJ0ENjlc0 pic.twitter.com/cScsQdCZJo
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 18, 2025
The 29-year-old was deployed usually with Connor Bedard on the highest line, and the 2 constructed some good chemistry. But it surely didn’t actually matter the place Donato was deployed, he may all the time be counted on to work his butt off successful puck battles, tilting the ice within the Blackhawks’ route and giving all of it he had each shift.
I’m certain Donato’s versatility and the truth that he’s a identified entity was cause for the Blackhawks to present him yet another 12 months of time period than their authentic provide on the commerce deadline. Donato may’ve gotten extra on the open market, however he wished to remain in Chicago. He and his spouse had their first child (a woman) final September, and he desires some stability. Now he has it.
Associated – Blackhawks Extending Ryan Donato Was the Sensible Transfer
Donato will even be an ideal mentor, each on and off the ice, for the all of the younger gamers on the Blackhawks who’re simply getting their ft moist within the NHL. Granted, we’d see some regression in Donato’s manufacturing subsequent season. Replicating final season’s stats may be a tall job. However Donato affords a lot extra than simply scoring. If nothing else, he’ll be a strong middle-six participant for the Blackhawks this season and past.
Toews Commits to Winnipeg
In massive information on Friday (June 20), it was introduced that Blackhawks’ legend and former captain Jonathan Toews will make a return to the NHL after two full seasons off the ice. He introduced his comeback intentions in late Could, and his hometown of Winnipeg was all the time thought of a desired vacation spot. It seems that got here to fruition, the 37-year-old will play for the Winnipeg Jets within the 2025-26 season.
House is the place the center is 🏠 pic.twitter.com/T0LfyqkVPD
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) June 20, 2025
Toews can’t officically signal with the Jets till the primary day of free company on July 1, however all the small print have already been launched. I used to be intrigued what Toews’ contract would seem like, and his $2 million cap hit for one 12 months is smart. He has some profitable bonuses although. I ponder how a lot of that $5 million he’ll truly earn?
The #NHLJets will signal Toews on July 1 to $2M Cap Hit & $7M AAV deal
Base $2M
Perf Bonuses whole $5M:
-$2.75M for varied GP thresholds
-$1.25M playoff bonuses
-$1M successful the cupRep’d by Pat Brisson @CAAHockey https://t.co/9XCxKDRt8c
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 20, 2025
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what sort of influence Toews can have for the Jets. Everyone knows he’s handled a plethora of well being points which have wreaked havoc on his physique. His age and period of time missed undoubtedly doesn’t work to his benefit. Does he play in a fourth line heart function, or farther up within the lineup? Will his presence block a prospect from getting ice time? No one desires to turn into a legal responsibility on a crew that took an opportunity on him.
Associated – Jets’ Toews Signing Comes With Many Query Marks & Potential Problems
Properly, if anybody can do that, Toews can! I’m certain we’re all hoping for a cheerful ending right here, the place Toews can finish his profession on a excessive be aware and on his phrases. Better of luck to Captain Critical!
Kane Declares Occasion in Chicago
One other Blackhawks’ legend, Patrick Kane, picked a foul day to make an announcement. Sadly, it was type of misplaced within the shuffle of the massive Toews’ information. I ponder if Kane texted Toews and gave him arduous time about it?! Nonetheless, listed here are the small print for the Kane occasion.
Chicago! I am coming again to see you – 8/8 tickets can be found now.
🖊️ Autograph signinghttps://t.co/waSkecIGJE
🎤 Q&A + Hockey Discuss on stagehttps://t.co/7AIjpYW5R8
Let’s make it an evening to recollect 🏒 Proud to have a portion of proceeds supporting the subsequent era of…
— Patrick Kane (@88PKane) June 20, 2025
On Aug. 8, Kane can be on the Chicago Sports activities Museum for an autograph signing from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. He’ll then host a VIP reception for 50 unique visitors at 5:30 p.m. at Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago. An Emcee-hosted night with Kane can be from 6:30 – 10:00 p.m., with him discussing Blackhawks’ particular video games, reminiscences and highlights.
Tickets can be expensive for this big day, however a portion of the proceeds will go to 1616.org, a charity targeted on the psychological, bodily and social wellbeing expertise for youth hockey gamers.
A terrific trigger and an excellent day! Ticket data may be accessed within the tweet above.
Burakowsky Joins the Blackhawks
Now let’s transfer on to some commerce information. On Saturday (Jun. 21) the Blackhawks introduced they acquired 30-year-old left winger Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken in change for 25-year-old depth ahead Joe Veleno.
🔔 Saturday morning commerce
📰https://t.co/AbwI3XDkg5 pic.twitter.com/o5hDTSs7Au
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 21, 2025
Burakovsky has two years left on his contract with a $5.5 million annual cap hit. Veleno has a $2.275 cap hit only for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. So, why are the Blackhawks committing more cash and time period for a 30-year-old versus a 25-year-old? Properly, it will assist them get to the cap ground, for one. And they need to be getting a greater participant in Burakovsky.
Its true Burakovsky’s stats are higher than Veleno’s from final season; he posted 10 targets and 37 factors in 79 video games to Veleno’s eight targets and 17 factors in 74 video games (taking part in with the Detroit Purple Wings many of the season and coming to the Blackhawks on the commerce deadline).
Associated – Chicago Blackhawks Purchase Andre Burakovsky from Kraken for Joe Veleno
However Burakovsky additionally didn’t fare so nicely the earlier season with the Kraken, contributing solely seven targets and 16 factors whereas coping with accidents and solely taking part in in 49 video games. Contemplating Veleno was principally a fourth line participant in his time with the Blackhawks, I used to be curious how Burakovsky was deployed with the Kraken. I reached out to my colleague Jess Amato, who covers the Kraken for The Hockey Writers, to get some enter.
Burakovsky hopped into the top-six for a short time Jordan Eberle was out along with his harm, however principally he performed on the third line.
All proper, so an improve from Veleno, for certain, with extra potential to play up or down within the lineup. Plus, the Austrian native is thought for his skating and taking pictures, so he ought to match proper into the id and tradition the Blackhawks try to construct. He additionally provides some measurement, at 6-foot-3, 203-pounds.

This acquisition jogs my memory of the Ilya Mikheyev pick-up from final offseason; a middle-six participant coming off harm that might profit from a change of surroundings. In case you recall, Mikheyev was fourth on the crew with 20 targets final season, and he additionally impressed as a strong two-way participant.
Enjoyable reality! Burakovsky, Mikheyev and Tyler Bertuzzi are all 30 years previous, and Jason Dickinson can be 30 this July. We’re going to should preserve an eye fixed out for the “all 30 line”!
Brodie Being Purchased Out
Lastly, the Blackhawks put veteran defenseman T.J. Brodie on unconditional waivers for functions of a buyout on Saturday.
The #Blackhawks put TJ Brodie on waivers to buyout the remaining 1 12 months 3.75M of his contract.
Buyout cap hit:
Yr 1 $3.23M
Yr 2 $258Khttps://t.co/CbuusIOvlq pic.twitter.com/6hDzJVyQhQ— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 21, 2025
This was an anticipated transfer, because the 35-year-old veteran didn’t work out after being acquired by the Blackhawks final offseason. Brodie was introduced on for expertise and depth on the blue line, however he simply didn’t have a lot to supply when he did play. It grew to become clear that the youthful defensemen had been all outplaying him, and Brodie was scratched for the final 22 video games of the season. In 54 whole video games performed, the Chatham, Ontario native solely contributed two targets and 10 factors and was a minus-18 in plus/minus score, the bottom of all defensemen.
Assuming the Blackhawks don’t decide up one other veteran defenseman this offseason (which they very nicely may), the crew can be going very younger on the blueline. Connor Murphy (32 years previous) would be the solely true veteran, with Alex Vlasic (24), Taige Harding (23) Nolan Allan (22), Ethan Del Mastro (22), Sam Rinzel (20), Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov (19) all within the combine to combine both in Chicago or with the Rockford IceHogs.
There’s additionally Louis Crevier (24) and Wyatt Kaiser (22) who’re restricted free brokers. It’s unclear whether or not they are going to be re-signed, however with this plethora of defensive prospects I’d anticipate just a few extra trades or transactions earlier than it’s all mentioned and finished.
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By no means a uninteresting second for the Blackhawks! Preserve it right here at The Hockey Writers for all the most recent information, evaluation and updates. The 2025 NHL Draft is subsequent weekend (June 27 and 28) and the free company interval opens on July 1.