Until the free agent shopping commenced, Ethan Del Mastro sure looked destined to be in the opening night lineup. But Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson didn’t want to leave another season up to chance–one that could result in another landslide of losses. So he brought in veterans, some of whom clogged up the path to Chicago for at least another season.

But at the same time, anything is up for grabs–whether it’s an 18-year veteran or an 18-year-old prospect. Davidson said as much at locker clean out. So when Del Mastro came up, Davidson, prior to free agency, was blunt

“He played so well down in Rockford in that first year pro he was an AHL All-Star, and so that was a reward for his season,” Davidson said.  “And, you know what, if he puts in the work and plays well in camp, again, it’s an open competition. He’s had the type of year that he’s shown that he can definitely play and excel at the AHL level.

The AHL to NHL is a different story. That’s a big jump. So it’s going to be tough just to make sure that he does enough to make that jump and us to feel comfortable to put them in there full time. But he’s put in the work down in the AHL and done really well, so I’m not ruling anything out.”

We’ll start there with CHN’s third best prospect in the Blackhawks pipeline because even if it’s another year–Del Mastro is not only on the radar–he’s one of the best prospects in the system.

Ethan Del Mastro is #3 For a Reason

Ethan Del Mastro received high praise from IceHogs head coach Anders Sorenesen, who watched the evolution of the Hogs’ sole all-star.

“The big message to him was just playing faster at times and moving the puck quicker,” Sorensen said.  “And I thought he took some big strides in those areas, and very receptive. He’s had a lot of success in juniors, if it’s World Juniors, and his path has kind of been linear, straight. And I think the year was really good for him overall. Just learning how to play the pro game, learning how to handle bigger players, shift in and shift out, I thought was a big thing for him.”

Del Mastro potted seven goals in his first professional season, matching the output he had at the junior level in the previous two seasons. His 37 points was fourth best for AHL rookie defensemen, and for a guy that was scouted as a stay at home shows that the growth is still there.

So when the Blackhawks drafted Artyom Levshunov, the potential of a pairing with Del Mastro should only get Blackhawks fans more excited. While it may not be as quick as an appearance in Chicago, being paired with Levshunov as the two grow together at the AHL level could play greater dividends a season later. Davidson bought them time–and that is a precious thing when it comes to development.

Ethan Del Mastro is another jewel in the Blackhawks pipeline–akin to Alex Vlasic–drafted outside the first round and potentially projecting out as a top six defenseman in the NHL. The 2020 fourth round pick rose from CHN’s rankings last year–and will likely continue that ascent until he’s full time in the NHL.