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Boston Bruins player outlook 2018: Ryan Donato will compete for Calder Trophy

By Sam Minton

BOSTON, MA - MAY 4: Cedric Paquette #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning checks Ryan Donato #17 of the Boston Bruins into the boards during the third period of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 4, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 4: Cedric Paquette #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning checks Ryan Donato #17 of the Boston Bruins into the boards during the third period of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 4, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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After making his impact felt once he was signed to the Boston Bruins, Ryan Donato is looking to have a great rookie season.

Ryan Donato didn’t play a lot for the Boston Bruins last season, but he definitely showed he can play in the NHL. In his rookie season, Donato will definitely be a candidate for the Calder Trophy.

Near the end of the season with injuries mounting up the Bruins decided to bring Donato up to the big leagues. In 12 games Donato had 5 goals and 4 assists. That’s pretty impressive for a guy coming straight out of college.

Sadly for fans of Donato, the rookie didn’t get a ton of playing time in the playoffs. He was never able to find his groove and only played in 3 games. Still, last season was a successful one for Donato.

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Prediction time

Looking ahead to this season, I think Donato will dominate. He showed that he is able to score in the NHL and has great hockey I.Q.

It will be interesting to see where the Bruins play Donato. If they want Donato to be a center they would most likely have to move him down to one of the bottom two lines.

I think the best option for Donato is playing on the second line. With Donato as a winger, you have a quality goal scorer who thinks like a center. Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci, and Donato could become a terrific trio.

Last season we saw Charlie McAvoy have a great season. Donato is basically stepping into the same situation.

I think that Donato could have as great of a season as DeBrusk did last season. If Donato plays a full season I think he can score 20 goals and have 25 assists. That would be an impressive rookie season.

Next. Brandon Carlo will finally put together a solid season. dark

If Donato can have a successful rookie season the Bruins will have a great opportunity to make a run for the Stanley Cup.

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