The Boston Bruins emerge from the Olympic break clinging to the final Eastern Conference wild card spot, and whispers from the Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont point to a reunion with former forward Ryan Donato as they weigh buying or selling before the deadline. Donato, now 29 and bulked up from his Harvard days, exploded for 31 goals last season with Chicago before a slower start this year, but his speed and fit in Marco Sturm's system make him a tempting top-six piece.

Chicago Blackhawks veteran forward Ryan Donato skips practice amid reports of life-changing news that has the locker room buzzing. The 29-year-old journeyman, who's bounced between five NHL teams before finding his groove in Chicago with career-high 31 goals last season, suddenly faces a pivotal moment just as the team locks him up long-term.

Blackhawks prospects Kevin Korchinski, Nick Lardis, and Brett Seney light up the AHL All-Star Skills Competition in Rockford, grabbing spots in five of seven events and thrilling the home crowd. Korchinski savors his second All-Star nod while Lardis turns heads with pinpoint accuracy shooting and a relay score that puts the West on the board early.

Ryan Donato's production has dipped this season, but Blackhawks insiders know his subtle contributions keep Chicago's bottom six humming in ways stats don't capture. The grinder who bounced around waivers now anchors shifts that wear down opponents and spark transitions nobody sees coming. As the Hawks chase playoff positioning, Donato's quiet influence could prove the difference in a crowded Western Conference race.