Will Ethan Del Mastro play his way into the defense?

Even though defenseman Ethan Del Mastro has still not re-signed yet as an RFA (even though he was given a qualifying offer), we're going to talk about him, anyway. He should be re-signed soon.

The main Chicago Blackhawks defense seems set, with six being: Alex Vlasic, Bowen Byram, Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, Ian Cole, and Wyatt Kaiser.

But there is still a seventh defenseman.

Therefore, that part brings Del Mastro's storyline for 2026-27.

Del Mastro will be given another opportunity to prove himself

Del Mastro was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2021, and he carries the physical traits the Blackhawks like, with his 6'4"; 204-pound frame, and ability to bring a physical, defensive presence. He spent the majority of the season with the Rockford IceHogs, with 18 points in 45 games.

He was with the Blackhawks at the start of last season, when Alex Vlasic had to miss the first game after getting cut by a skate in training camp. He played 19 games with the Blackhawks, recording one point. He saw more consistent NHL playing time after the trade deadline in March.

Del Mastro has always been on the cusp of the d-core. He was under a lot of consideration last season, but head coach Jeff Blashill was hesitant to sit their other left defensemen, which is why he spent more playing time in Rockford.

Going into next season, Del Mastro will still be under consideration.

Del Mastro has to have a strong training camp

Last season, the Blackhawks liked carrying seven defensemen, often going with the 11 forward/7 defensemen lineup. They don't need to rely on the 11/7 lineup next season, but it still gives Del Mastro a good shot of fighting for a spot out of training camp. He will likely be battling against Kevin Korchinski (who is also waiting to get re-signed as an RFA).

Hypothetically, if he makes the team as the seventh defenseman, that is where things will get interesting. I view Del Mastro as I did Louis Crevier last season. I thought Crevier might be that seventh defenseman who would play once in a while. But he got an opportunity, and he ended up being one of the best stories of the season, cementing himself on the blue line.

Crevier upped his value so much that the Buffalo Sabres got him in exchange for Byram and the fourth overall pick. It shows that anything can happen when you make it, as it's another opportunity to compete.

Blashill said about Del Mastro's game in March, "He's done a good job... We'll play around with seven and six (defensemen). Seven (defensemen)- there's a positive to it, but there's also... sometimes you don't get a regular shift. Sometimes you don't get a regular shift with a partner, so it can be a little bit tough at times for those guys that get put in those spots. But he's done a solid job. He's just gotta keep growing... He's got to be a guy, as I told him, when he went down, that doesn't give up many minuses, is hard, and big and strong, which he is, and moves the puck well. And if you do that, you play a long time in the league. Any guys that can break the puck out and defend really well, play a lot, and they're really important. So hopefully he can continue to build into that.”

The Blackhawks believe in what the 23 year old can bring.

He's had tastes of the NHL, and once he signs, he'll get another chance to be an NHL regular. He can play his off side, which is valuable to the Blackhawks right now, too.

You never know how things might shake out during training camp, and what the roster will end up being. But if he makes a strong impression, that will start him off on the right foot.

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