Robert Mastrosimone To Hit Free Agency–would he be a fit?

Arizona State forward Robert Mastrosimone was a second round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2019. Once considered an intriguing prospect in the Red Wings system, his college career didn’t produce enough for Detroit to offer him an entry-level deal.

Now it appears the forward will try and turn pro.

Coyotes 2019 3rd-round pick John Farinacci (No. 76) & ASU F Robert Mastrosimone (DET, 2019, 2nd rd, No. 54) are set to become UFAs today.
As I reported in April, Farinacci won't be signing w/AZ.
Per source, Mastrosimone is leaning heavily toward turning pro; not returning to ASU.

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) August 15, 2023

A quick look at what he brings and if he would even fit in with what the Blackhawks are building.

Mastrosimone Was Considered a Scoring Threat

Astute Chicago Steel fans will remember the New York born Mastrosimone who skated there in 2017-18 and 18-19. He notched 60 points in 54 games in the latter season, with 31 finding the back of the net. The Steel went to the Clark Cup Final, ultimately losing but Mastrosimone stood out with 15 points, seven being goals.

It looked like a solid pick for Detroit.

But he never really found that scoring touch with Boston University. Transferring to Arizona State and playing for the Sun Devils, he put up 42 points  (11-31) in 38 games.

But again, the scoring numbers didn’t convert as expected once he played college hockey. Though he was over a point-per-game, he was drafted by Detroit to score goals and it never materialized.

The next question here being–would he even fit what the Blackhawks are building?

Blackhawks Need Scoring Forwards

Mastrosimone would report to Rockford with a chance to cultivate his game at the professional level. There would be plenty of younger Blackhawks prospects there for the 22-year-old to develop with, but the bigger query is if he could re-discover the goal scoring that got him drafted by Detroit and recruited by one of the finest hockey schools in the nation.

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff profiled him back in September, as the writing was on the wall with the Red Wings that it was a do-or-don’t season for the young forward. From Duff:

Detroit Red Wings prospect Robert Mastrosimone doesn’t mince words when he discusses his future in hockey. He’s the first to admit there’s much work for him to do in order to carve out a career in the pros.

“It’s definitely going to take a lot of work and a lot of focus,” Mastrosimone said

The article talks about how he was going to emphasize work on his upper body strength while needing the change of scenery to become a better player.

Statistically it helped. But some could argue the talent level at ASU isn’t exactly what Boston plays against. So while the numbers could be misleading Arizona State did play against the likes of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Denver. He also had a big game winning goal against Minnesota earlier in the season and another game winner against #6 North Dakota

THERE IT IS! ROBERT MASTRISIMONE WITH THE OT WINNER AND THE SUN DEVILS HAVE KNOCKED OFF THE NUMBER 2 RANKED MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS pic.twitter.com/X14rVj567g

— Shawn DePaz (@shawn_depaz) November 27, 2022

He led in points, and was tied for third in goals. A mid-season report courtesy of Craig Morgan listed Mastrosimone as one of the big reasons ASU was seeing improvement. Though they wouldn’t see a tournament berth, the Sun Devils certainly benefitted from his strong play.

Mastrosimone surely has the knack to score goals. But the Blackhawks would surely be looking for the scoring clip to increase. He’s versatile, too, being able to play both left wing and center.

Perhaps playing in Chicago again unlocks the scoring touch once more.