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Boston Bruins: Disappointing start sends Ryan Donato to Providence

By Sam Minton

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 27: Ryan Donato #17 of the Boston Bruins tries to kick the puck while being defended by Jordie Benn #8 of the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at TD Garden on October 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 27: Ryan Donato #17 of the Boston Bruins tries to kick the puck while being defended by Jordie Benn #8 of the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at TD Garden on October 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Bruins decided to send Ryan Donato down to the AHL. The rookie sensation had a rough start to the season and will hopefully get it together down in Providence.

Ryan Donato was absolutely on fire when he entered the league last season. The Boston Bruins forward looked like he was going to be the next Charlie McAvoy. After a rough start to the 2018-19 season, I would say Bruins fans might have jumped the gun.

Last season, Donato burst onto the scene. In just 12 games he scored 5 goals and 4 assists. Coming straight out of Harvard and averaging almost a point per game is pretty impressive.

This year I was expecting a lot from Donato. I was looking forward to him proving that he was ready to be one of the top young forwards in the league.

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That didn’t happen.

Donato struggled to get the puck in the net and wasn’t making a difference on the ice. In 11 games this season Donato was only able to muster up one goal and had a rating of -4.

If Donato wants to stay in the NHL he needs to perform better. I don’t think you can blame the Bruns for sending him down.

It will be interesting to see what the Bruins do. They have been employing a rotating roster early on, but it seems like Bruce Cassidy has seen enough.

Some possible good news

There may be a positive to Donato being sent down. It appears that David Backes will be back in the lineup soon.

Backes would help the Bruins out a ton. The Bruins don’t have a forceful presence on the ice. Kevan Miller is injured so with Backes back they’ll have someone who will keep opponents in check.

I would expect Backes to be on the 3rd line with Joakim Nordstrom centering the line and Backes on the wing. I think Backes, Nordstrom, and Anders Bjork should be a succesful line.

Next. Steven Kampfer surprisingly good so far. dark

So hopefully Ryan Donato can get his groove back in Providence and make his way back to Boston sooner rather than later.

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