Blackhawks 2016-17 Over/Under: Brandon Mashinter

As the regular season begins in just a couple of weeks, the Chicago Blackhawks are looking to improve on their early exit last season. The team kicks off training camp at Johnny’s Icehouse in Chicago on September 23. Over the next few weeks, Blackhawk Up will give projections for the stats of each player heading into the season, based off the trend of past three seasons, career averages, and potential line-mate projections. 

Can Mashinter Provide More Than Physicality For Chicago?

Let’s get this out of the way first; Brandon Mashinter deserves all the credit in the world for what he has worked for ad has done in his career to reach the level that he has played at in the NHL. The role of a physical player willing to drop the gloves for his teammates is largely a thankless role.

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That being said, there isn’t much that Mashinter has to offer the Chicago Blackhawks on the ice more than being a physical player who is willing to drop the gloves.

In his career at the AHL level, Mashinter has been a physical presence that could also score on a decent basis. Unfortunately for Mashinter, his responsibilities at the NHL level have been to be a hitter and a fighter when necessary. His point production at the NHL level has come solely from his time with the Blackhawks and there really seems to be no reason why much more will be expected from Mashinter in 2016-17.

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Factors

Last Three Seasons (AHL/NHL):

• 2013-14
  • NHL: 6 GP – 0g, 0a, 0Pts, -1, 4:34 TOI (with New York Rangers)
  • AHL: 58 GP – 15g, 20a, 35Pts, -5 (with Hartford Wolf Pack, Rockford IceHogs)
• 2014-15
  • AHL: 69 GP – 17g, 15a, 32Pts, +4 (with Rockford IceHogs)
• 2015-16
  • NHL: 41 GP – 4g, 1a, 5Pts, -7, 7:30 TOI
  • AHL: 12 GP – 4g, 3a, 7Pts, even (with Rockford IceHogs)

Career Average:

• 82 Game AVG: 5g, 1a, 6Pts, -10, 6:54 TOI

Potential Line-mates:

• Marcus Kruger – Most Likely
• Dennis Rasmussen – Most Likely
• Andrew Desjardins – Most Likely
• Jordin Tootoo – Most Likely
• Ryan Hartman – 50/50
• Vince Hinostroza – 50/50
• Tanner Kero – 50/50
• Tyler Motte – Outside Shot

Projection: 2G,1A, 3Pts

Last season, Mashinter was given arguably too many chances to perform for the Blackhawks when other players or more skill could have been given chances. He still has value in spot starts, the problem is he can’t be given a regular spot because it will take away a spot from, more than likely, a younger player that could do more for the Blackhawks in 2016-17 and beyond.

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In a season where the Blackhawks have expressed that they are going to be focusing more on the development of younger players and building from within, Mashinter’s role will more than likely shrink from what he saw in 2015-16.

Obviously head coach Joel Quenneville seems to love giving Mashinter as many chances as possible, so he will get his shot. But the addition of a player like Jordin Tootoo, who is a smaller version of Mashinter, it makes it harder to give both players a shot at the same time.

Writer Projection: Slightly Over 

If Mashinter goes over his prediction, it won’t be by much if at all. His ice-time will be slim, so if he can make the most of it when he gets the opportunity and put points on the board, all the better. But his role isn’t changed. Therefore, the production projection for Brandon Mashinter is three points for 2016-17.