2024 Blackhawks Bottom Line
Blackhawks Bottom Line: Ethan Del Mastro Destined For Full Time Status
Over the course of the next month, Chicago Hockey Now will be profiling every Chicago Blackhawks player from the 2023-24 season. Today, will be defenseman Ethan Del Mastro
Ethan Del Mastro
Defenseman
Games Played: 2
Goals-Assists-Points: 0-0-0
Contract Status: Signed through 2025-26 (RFA)
The Short View
Ethan Del Mastro was given a “cookie” for his hard work in Rockford–which resulted in being the IceHogs lone representative at the AHL All-Star Game and being named rookie of the year by the organization. With just a pair of games in Chicago, Del Mastro looked comfortable and always seemed to be in the right spot. The time was short with the Blackhawks but it certainly seemed like the curtain was rising on his NHL career.
The Long View
Del Mastro has been written about extensively at CHN and been pegged as a future blue line presence. His junior career was stellar and only got better with time. The same held true in Rockford. Why would Chicago be any different? Del Mastro returned to the IceHogs to finish out the season but is now finished following Rockford’s elimination at the hands of Grand Rapids. In four playoff games against an excellent Griffins team, Del Mastro put up a goal and an assist–while logging big minutes. Again, it was a short sample.
But it all seems like he’s ready for the biggest test now.
The Bottom Line For Ethan Del Mastro
Del Mastro, in this author’s humble opinion, already has a spot carved out for him in Chicago next season. While Wyatt Kaiser shuffled back and forth a bit, Del Mastro doesn’t seem to have a similar future. The seasoning has already occurred and he’s also a member of that Gold Medal winning Canadian team that featured Nolan Allan, and Connor Bedard. Del Mastro is also a leader–and he’ll be another valuable voice in the locker room as the team grows together.
Putting up 37 points (7-30) in his first professional season should open some eyes to anyone who wasn’t already looking. By the end of next season, Ethan Del Mastro will likely have a lot more eyeballs noting just how important he will be to the Blackhawks blue line–and future.
Previous Blackhawks Bottom Line Entries
Seth Jones | Connor Murphy | Ryan Donato | Taylor Raddysh | Joey Anderson | Jason Dickinson | Nick Foligno | Nikita Zaitsev | Philipp Kurashev | Jaycob Megna | Jarred Tinordi | Lukas Reichel | Petr Mrazek |
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What a potentially great draft pick…..hope his game translates to the NHL. At this point, I’m assuming that Zaitsev, Tinordi and Megna are moving on which just leaves Jones and Murphy with veteran experience. I believe Phillips will be the 7th D man and Vlasic and KK in the mix although KK better show better Defensive chops his 2nd season. Throw in Kaiser and a potential 3rd tough, defensive minded add and its pretty crowded. I think he’ll still be in Rockford to season a little more, but will get more games at the NHL next season.