Blackhawks News and Rumors: Donato, Tovas, Kane, Brakowski, Brody – Hockey Writer – Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t waste much time after the Stanley Cup wins the Florida Panthers to start off the offseason move. One of the top players who have re-signed since the 2024-25 season has been in a deal with Seattle Cleken and is making a buyout. In addition, two Black Hawk legends made news on Friday. Let’s get started.
Donato re-signed
A major business this offseason is reaching an agreement with forward Ryan Donato. The unrestricted free agent had a career-long 2024-25 season, with the Blackhawks scoring 31 goals and 63 points for the Blackhawks. If the Blackhawks don’t plan to re-sign him, they will need to replace his scoring and production with another pick-up service. But the two parties announced an agreement on Wednesday (June 18).
Ryan Donato has four years left
📰📰 pic.twitter.com/cscsqsqdczjo
— Chicago Blackhawks (@nhlblackhawks) June 18, 2025
The 29-year-old is often deployed on the top line, and Connor Bedard builds some good chemistry. But it doesn’t matter where Donato is deployed, he can always rely on his ass to win the hockey battle, tilt the ice in the direction of the Black Hawks, and give him everything that changes.
I’m sure Donato’s versatility and the fact that he is a known entity is that the Blackhawks give him a semester reason, not the original offer before the trade deadline. Donato could have gotten more on the open market, but he wanted to stay in Chicago. Last September, he and his wife had their first child (a girl) and he wanted some stability. Now he has.
Related – Blackhawks expand Ryan Donato is a wise move
Donato will also be the perfect mentor for all the young players of the Blackhawks who just wet their feet in the NHL. Of course, we may see Donato’s production return next season. Copying statistics from last season can be a daunting task. But Donato offers more than just scores. If nothing else, he would be the sixth player in the Blackhawks this season and beyond.
Toews is dedicated to Winnipeg
In Big News on Friday (June 20), it was announced that Blackhawks legend and former captain Jonathan Toews will return to the NHL after two full seasons. He announced his intention to make a comeback in late May, and his hometown of Winnipeg has been considered an ideal destination. It turns out that the 37-year-old will play for the Winnipeg Jets in the 2025-26 season.
Home is the heart is 🏠 pic.twitter.com/t0lfyqkvpd
— Winnipeg Jets (@nhljets) June 20, 2025
Toews won’t officially sign with the Jets until July 1st day as a free agent, but all details have been released. I’m interested in the look of the contract of Juves, his annual $2 million cap makes sense. He has some lucrative bonuses. I wonder how much $5 million he actually made?
this #nhljets To sign TOEWS from July 1 to $2 million hat and sign a $7 million AAV deal
Basically $2 million
Perfect bonus totals $5 million:
– Various GP thresholds $2.75 million
– $1.25 million in playoff bonus
– $1 million to win the CupPat Brisson’s Representative @CaaHockey https://t.co/9xcxkdrt8c
– Puckpedia (@puckpedia) June 20, 2025
It would be interesting to see what impact Toews would have on jets. We all know that he has dealt with numerous health issues that have wreak havoc on his body. His age and time missed time absolutely cannot take advantage of his advantage. Does he play the role of a fourth-tier center, or a further role in the lineup? Will his presence stop potential ice time? No one wants to be the responsibility of a team that seizes the opportunity.
Related – Jet’s TOEWS signature comes with many question marks and potential complications
Well, if anyone can do that, Toews can! I’m sure we all want a pleasant ending here, where Toews can end his career with a high voice and his conditions. The one who is lucky is the serious captain!
Kane announces event in Chicago
Another Black Hawk legend, Patrick Kane, chose a bad day to make the announcement. Unfortunately, this is lost in the chaos of Big Show news. I wonder if Kane texted Toews and gave him a hard time? But, here are the details of Kane’s event.
Chicago! I’m going back to see you – there are 8/8 tickets now.
🖊️Signature signature://t.co/waskecigje
🎤Q&A + Hockey on stagehttps://t.co/7aijpyw5r8
Let’s want to make a night remember 🏒be proud of supporting part of the benefits of the next generation.
— Patrick Kane (@88pkane) June 20, 2025
On August 8, Kane will sign at the Chicago Sports Museum at the Chicago Sports Museum, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, and then he will hold a VIP reception for 50 exclusive guests at Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago at 5:30 pm. The host who spent with Kane will be between 6:30-10:00 pm, and he discusses the Blackhawks’ special games, memories and highlights.
On this special occasion, tickets will be expensive, but a portion of the proceeds will be used 1616.org,,,,, A charity focuses on the psychological, physical and social well-being experience of young hockey players.
Great career and a wonderful day! Ticket information can be accessed in the tweet above.
Burakowsky joins the Blackhawks
Now let’s go on some trade news. On Saturday (June 21), the Blackhawks announced that they had won 30-year-old left-wing Andre Burakovsky from Seattle Kraken in exchange for 25-year-old deep forward Joe Veleno.
🔔Saturday morning trading
— Chicago Blackhawks (@nhlblackhawks) June 21, 2025
Burakovsky has two years left for contract, $5.5 million per year. Veleno only scored $2.275 blocks for the rest of the 2025-26 season. So why are the Blackhawks making more money and semesters for the 30-year-old boy rather than the 25-year-old? Well, this will help them get to the cover floor. They should find a better player in Burakovsky.
Its real Burakovsky statistics are better than Veleno last season. He posted 10 goals and 37 points in 79 games for Veleno (played with the Detroit Red Wings for most of the season and headed to the Blackhawks for the trade deadline).
Related – Chicago Blackhawks Get Joe Veleno’s Andre Burakovsky from Kraken
But Brakowski was not very good with Cleken last season, contributing only 7 goals and 16 points while dealing with the injury, playing only 49 games. Given that Veleno was mostly a fourth-tier player during his time with the Blackhawks, I was curious how Burakovsky was deployed with Kraken. I approached my colleague Jess Amato, who provided Kraken’s contribution to hockey writers to get some input.
Jordan Eberle was constantly injured and Burakovsky jumped into the top six, but he played in the third line for the most part.
OK, of course, upgrades from Veleno, with greater potential and potential to play in the lineup. Plus, the Austrian is known for skating and shooting, so he should be integrated into the identity and culture the Blackhawks are trying to build. He also added a certain size, 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 203 pounds.
This acquisition reminds me of the Ilya Mikheyev pickup from last offseason. One six-part player was injured and could benefit from changes in the scenery. If you remember, Mikiev was fourth in the team with 20 goals last season and he was also impressed as a solid two-way player.
Interesting facts! Burakovsky, Mikheyev and Tyler Bertuzzi are all 30 years old, and Jason Dickinson will be 30 in July this year. We will have to pay attention to “all 30 rows”!
Brody was bought out
Finally, the Blackhawks put veteran guard TJ Brodie on an unconditional waiver for a acquisition on Saturday.
this #blackhawks Put TJ Brodie on the waiver to acquire 3.75 million of its remaining 1-year contract.
Acquisition hat hit rate:
$1 per year
Grade 2 $258K pic.twitter.com/6hdzjvyqhq– Puckpedia (@puckpedia) June 21, 2025
It was the expected move, as the 35-year-old veteran did not exercise after being acquired by the Blackhawks last offseason. Brodie was brought to the experience and depth of the blue line, but he didn’t have much to do when he played. It was obvious that the young defenders were all over him, and Brody was scratched in the last 22 games of the season. In 54 games, Chatham, Ontario native contributed just 2 goals and 10 points, and was MINUS-18 in the Plus/Minus rating, the lowest of all defensemen.
Assuming the Blackhawks won’t take over another veteran’s defensive player this offseason (they’re happy) then the team will be small on the blue line. Connor Murphy (32) will be the only true veteran, Alex Vlasic (24), Taige Harding (23), Nolan Allan (22) (22), Ethan del Mastro (22), Sam Rinzel (20), Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov (19) mix it with Rockford Ice to mix it together.
There are also Louis Crevier (24) and Wyatt Kaiser (22), their restricted free agents. It’s not clear whether they will re-sign, but with a lot of defensive prospects, I hope there will be more in all deals or deals.
Related – Ideas for the Best Choice for the Blackhawks in the Third Pick
The Blackhawks are by no means dull moments! Keep it in the hockey writer for all the latest news, analysis and updates. The 2025 NHL Draft will be open next weekend (June 27 and 28), and will be open on July 1 during the free agent period.
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