On September 12, 2021, the [[expansion team]] [[Seattle Kraken]] signed Donato as a free agent to a one year, $750,000 contract.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/seattle-kraken-ryan-donato-1.1693118 | title = Seattle Kraken sign Ryan Donato | publisher = [[The Sports Network]] | date = September 12, 2021 | accessdate = September 12, 2021}}</ref>
OnDonato Octoberscored 12the opening goal in the the franchise's first preseason game against the Vancouver Canucks on September 26, 2021.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore/_/gameId/401357675 | title = Canucks vs. Kraken - Box Score - September 26, Donato2021 scored- ESPN | publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = September 21, 2021 | accessdate = September 21, 2021}}</ref> He followed that up with the first official goal in Seattle Kraken franchise history, scoring on opening night in a 4-3 loss to the [[Vegas Golden Knights]] on October 12, 2021.<ref name=SI211012>{{cite news| url = https://www.si.com/hockey/news/ryan-donato-scores-first-goal-in-seattle-kraken-history | title = Ryan Donato Scores First Goal in Seattle Kraken History | work = [[Sports Illustrated]] |last= Ellis |first=Steven |date = October 12, 2021 | accessdate = October 13, 2021}}</ref>
