Player Discussion Ryan Donato

[00BW]

Damn, Donato has a busy summer.
In the Athletic article above, he's working out at EPS.
In this article, he joined the top Bruin vets working out a Warrior just after the season ended.
Donato learning about offseason commitment from Bruins veterans
He's also playing in the Foxboro league.
I wouldn't be surprised if he's still taking summer classes at Harvard.

 

[hrdpuk]

Impressive ! I would love to see him in the starting lineup this year

 

[ODAAT]

Impressive ! I would love to see him in the starting lineup this year

he`ll have every opportunity for that to happen

 

[Oates2Neely]

Donato would be wise to get some serious practice at playing RW. He may find a spot alongside Marchand and Bergeron.

 

[ODAAT]

Donato would be wise to get some serious practice at playing RW. He may find a spot alongside Marchand and Bergeron.

not sure I`d tinker with the Bergy/March/Pasta line

 

[Mainehockey33]

His playing style reminds me of Kessel. I’m not sure if Center would be best for him. Like Phil, I think he’d be most dangerous using his speed and shot on the wing. I think he might have the highest ceiling of any of the prospects.

 

[Oates2Neely]

not sure I`d tinker with the Bergy/March/Pasta line

I’d be hesitant to myself. But I feel Pastrnak can produce on any line. And I think Bergeron Marchand can carry almost anyone on their right side. Pastrnak would give Krejci a boost and provide some secondary scoring. From what I’ve read they played well together for the Czechs recently

 

[00BW]

With his current defensive deficiencies, there is no way Donato's put on the Bergy line. Bjork had great numbers there in his limited debut last season as did Heinen while Marchand was out. So there are 2 internal candidates to replace Pasta if they want him on the 2nd line to create 2 powerhouse scoring lines.

Donato was OK with Krejci's line but I would prefer to see him start on the 3rd line LW. He and Heinen (slide over to RW which he played in college) could help create a dominant scoring 3rd line.

 

[veganbruin]

Honestly I find that he has a serious lack of foot speed. I think his future is in the top 6 but thinks he needs to work on his skating most of all.

 

[bob27]

With his current defensive deficiencies, there is no way Donato's put on the Bergy line. Bjork had great numbers there in his limited debut last season as did Heinen while Marchand was out. So there are 2 internal candidates to replace Pasta if they want him on the 2nd line to create 2 powerhouse scoring lines.

Donato was OK with Krejci's line but I would prefer to see him start on the 3rd line LW. He and Heinen (slide over to RW which he played in college) could help create a dominant scoring 3rd line.

I think his defensive deficiencies actually are a great reason to put him next to Bergeron and Marchand. Breaking up the first line wouldn't be my first instinct though. Getting a solid two-way winger for Krejci (cough Heinen) should be the key to making 2nd line more well rounded.

 

[KnightofBoston]

I think his defensive deficiencies actually are a great reason to put him next to Bergeron and Marchand. Breaking up the first line wouldn't be my first instinct though. Getting a solid two-way winger for Krejci (cough Heinen) should be the key to making 2nd line more well rounded.

I actually think Pastrnak will ultimately be with Krejci

The first line was too easily shut down last year because we had little to no answer on lines 2-4, they’re good, but not good enough to break through against elite teams. Plus, it’s high time krejci shows what his A and role on this team means. He showed great chemistry with pasta this summer so why not give it a shot and see where it goes

If DeBrusk is opposite, that’s some high offensive skills together, if Heinen is there, that line gets more defensive responsibility. Heinen and DeBrusk together with Krejci instead isn’t bad either but I think it opens up the chances for this team to get offensively shut down depending on who’s on line 3

I personally really like Heinen with Backes, heinens the type that can create scoring on lower lines but DeBrusk seems like he thrives on playing up the line up and against the oppositions best.


Donato, very similar to Bjork, is more high end skill with the acumen to defend but not the practice at this level to execute on it , and would benefit from being with Bergeron and Marchand allwhile adding offensive pop. Those two can essentially defend by themselves, as we often see in their ability to score shorties and get damn close more times than I can count

My one concern with our line up is that most nights, a line up of (and if it looks like this it means these players are doing well ie scoring as Cassidy shows he won’t favor vets of rookies)

Marchand - Bergeron - Donato
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Heinen - Backes - Bjork

Will get you a win more often than not, but be too soft for the playoffs, even with the 4th line and the new guys they brought in there

But perhaps this team can out skate others when it matters most. It’ll depend on how well the rookies can make it through the season, Carlo going down at the end of every year is an example of how the season will take a toll on them.

 

[BruinDust]

I’d be hesitant to myself. But I feel Pastrnak can produce on any line. And I think Bergeron Marchand can carry almost anyone on their right side. Pastrnak would give Krejci a boost and provide some secondary scoring. From what I’ve read they played well together for the Czechs recently

I think it's the opposite, that the chemistry between Marchand and Pastrnak elevated both players, and the production of both benefited from each other.

I also think this notion that Bergeron and Marchand can carry anyone on their RW is overrated.

 

[KnightofBoston]

I think it's the opposite, that the chemistry between Marchand and Pastrnak elevated both players, and the production of both benefited from each other.

I also think this notion that Bergeron and Marchand can carry anyone on their RW is overrated.

“Anyone”, ya, that’s hyperbole (overrated in your words)

Bjork or Donato, it’s not

 

[False Start]

Honestly I find that he has a serious lack of foot speed. I think his future is in the top 6 but thinks he needs to work on his skating most of all.

That and he was weak on the puck.

With that said, I would cuss at myself saying Donato has been horrible (I thought he was down the stretch), and then he'd still end up producing points.

Kid has great offensive skills. Let's see how much he can mature and develop in this coming year.

 

[ODAAT]

With his current defensive deficiencies, there is no way Donato's put on the Bergy line. Bjork had great numbers there in his limited debut last season as did Heinen while Marchand was out. So there are 2 internal candidates to replace Pasta if they want him on the 2nd line to create 2 powerhouse scoring lines.

Donato was OK with Krejci's line but I would prefer to see him start on the 3rd line LW. He and Heinen (slide over to RW which he played in college) could help create a dominant scoring 3rd line.

I don`t touch the Bergy/Marchand/Pasta trio, too unstoppable however, I would argue your point about Donato not playing with Bergy due to his defensive shortcomings. It`s for that very reason that I would entertain putting him with Bergy and Marchand if the B`s were ever to shift Pasta to another line, who are both excellent 3 zone players who have often, over the years, covered the deficiencies of whomever they were teamed with. Let us not forget, Pasta isn`t exactly a Selke finalist

All that said again, I leave the Bergy line alone

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Honestly I find that he has a serious lack of foot speed. I think his future is in the top 6 but thinks he needs to work on his skating most of all.

I think this might be a little overstated? I think the Kessel comparison in an earlier post was inaccurate, but I don’t think Donato’s skating is a weakness either.

The two areas he needs to improve in IMO are defensive awareness and compete. If he can ratchet those up a bit, he should be fine.

 

[Oates2Neely]

I think it's the opposite, that the chemistry between Marchand and Pastrnak elevated both players, and the production of both benefited from each other.

I also think this notion that Bergeron and Marchand can carry anyone on their RW is overrated.

“Almost” anyone (meaning current RW options on the Bruins). Backes Bjork Donato I think would all do well alongside Bergeron Marchand.

Secondary scoring is needed this season.

 

[BMC]

Honestly I find that he has a serious lack of foot speed. I think his future is in the top 6 but thinks he needs to work on his skating most of all.

His defense too. A lot of times he looked lost in his own end last season. I think he can do it but it will take time.

 

[BruinDust]

“Almost” anyone (meaning current RW options on the Bruins). Backes Bjork Donato I think would all do well alongside Bergeron Marchand.

Secondary scoring is needed this season.

So why break up Marchand and Pastrnak in order to achieve that?

Between Debrusk/Krejci/Donato/Heinen/Backes/Bjork they should be able to put together 2 scoring lines that can do enough damage if the big line isn't producing. There certainly is enough talent there. More than most teams can boast in their forwards 4 through 9.

 

[Gordoff]

I’d be hesitant to myself. But I feel Pastrnak can produce on any line. And I think Bergeron Marchand can carry almost anyone on their right side. Pastrnak would give Krejci a boost and provide some secondary scoring. From what I’ve read they played well together for the Czechs recently

Even though a ship carries an anchor it doesn't make it any faster or more efficient. I don't want them to have to carry their linemate, I want them to continue prospering with him.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

So why break up Marchand and Pastrnak in order to achieve that?

Between Debrusk/Krejci/Donato/Heinen/Backes/Bjork they should be able to put together 2 scoring lines that can do enough damage if the big line isn't producing. There certainly is enough talent there. More than most teams can boast in their forwards 4 through 9.

Maybe because Marchand/Bergeron have proven plenty as a pairing that they work well together? If the 3rd player on that line is Heinen, Donato, or Bjork, that's pretty good talent with them. I see both sides of this one. I'm fine with keeping the "Big 3" together but I'm also fine with slotting Pastrnak down and giving someone like Heinen a chance up in the Top 6. When Heinen filled in for Marchand last season over, he was very productive. I was looking at it quickly and right off the bat, Heinen played 10-12 games with Bergeron/Pastrnak and produced 9-10 points. Very short sample, but it shows (to me at least) that Heinen has potential to handle that spot on the top line.

Also, yes I realize that it was Pastrnak and Bergeron (not Marchand and Bergeron), but talent wise, Pastrnak/Marchand are both elite wingers. Heinen wouldn't be the top option there with either.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I think this might be a little overstated? I think the Kessel comparison in an earlier post was inaccurate, but I don’t think Donato’s skating is a weakness either.

The two areas he needs to improve in IMO are defensive awareness and compete. If he can ratchet those up a bit, he should be fine.

He’s not as fast as Kessel but his shot is up there and I think he can develop his playmaking like Kessel did.

I don’t think Donato is slow though. There was a rush or two he made last year where he burnt a defenseman if I remember correctly.

The comparison is more about how they were both high end offensive centers in college that probably fit better on the wing at the NHL level to take advantage of their shot. I still think Donato has the highest ceiling of all prospects.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

He’s not as fast as Kessel but his shot is up there and I think he can develop his playmaking like Kessel did.

I don’t think Donato is slow though. There was a rush or two he made last year where he burnt a defenseman if I remember correctly.

The comparison is more about how they were both high end offensive centers in college that probably fit better on the wing at the NHL level to take advantage of their shot. I still think Donato has the highest ceiling of all prospects.

Donato (4/9/96) at Harvard:

Fresh 15/16 (19) 32 games, 13g/8a/21p

Sophomore (20): 36 games, 21g/19a/40p

Junior (21): 29 games, 26g/17a/43p

B’s (21/22), 12 games, 5g/4a/9p


Look at Heinen (7/5/95) at Denver:

Freshman (19): 40 games, 16g/29a/45p

Sophomore (20): 41 games, 20g/20a/48p

AHL (21): 64 games, 14g/30a/44p

NHL (22) 77 games, 16g/31a/47p



Bjork (8/5/96) at Notre Dame:

Fresh (18): 41 games, 7g/15a/22p

Soph (19): 35 games, 12g/23a/35p

Junior (20): 39 games, 21g/31a/52p

NHL (21): 30 games, 4g/8a/12p


You can draw your own conclusions from these numbers. All three guys were at good D1 programs, playing difficult schedules.

Their roles were different at their schools. Donato relied on as more of a sniper, while Heinen and Donato were more “pass first” guys, capable of scoring, but also set up (in part probably due to a better supporting cast). They were also both better 3 zone players.

One could make an argument (based on age, level of competition, and production) that Bjork may actually project as the highest upside prospect?

 

[GoBs]

Honestly I find that he has a serious lack of foot speed. I think his future is in the top 6 but thinks he needs to work on his skating most of all.

I don't believe that is the issue at all. I think with his youth its more of a slow reaction while he gets used to the speed of the game. When he gets that down he is going to be a good one.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Just for shits and giggles:


Vesey (5/26/93) at Harvard:

Fresh 12/13 (19): 27 games, 11g/7a/18p

Soph (20): 31 games, 13g/9a/22p

Junior (21): 37 games, 32g/26a/58p

Senior (22): 33 games 24g/22a/46p


Added Bonus.

Connor (12/9/96) at Michigan:

Fresh 15/16 (19): 35g/36a/71p