The Chicago Blackhawks finished the 2023-24 season with two losses at home. That’s not to say everything was horrible.
While the Blackhawks’ four-game losing streak is disappointing, there were two bright spots during the weekend.
Ethan Del Mastro played well defensively in his first two NHL games.
Del Mastro had an impressive rookie season with the Hawks’ AHL club, the Rockford IceHogs. He was rewarded with a call-up to the NHL to experience the next level.
The Blackhawks’ fifth-best prospect, according to the Athletic’s Scott Wheeler (access requires a subscription), shone.
HockeyStatCards ranked him as the highest-rated player in Friday’s loss to the Nashville Predators.
His defense was rated highly again in Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Looking at the figures, it is clear that Del Mastro had little impact on the offensive side. Given that he did not appear overwhelmed in two games and was positive in the majority of his job responsibilities (defense), you’ll take it for an NHL debut. He was given permission to play slightly more than 18 minutes in both games.
The Hawks got a look at a player who may be a good defender in the Johnny Oduya or Niklas Hjalmarsson mold on the next great Blackhawks squad.
Del Mastro did have 30 assists in 66 games for Rockford, so it’s just a question of bringing it all together at the next level. Del Mastro will most likely return to the IceHogs to help them in their Calder Cup playoff push.
Frank Nazar excels during his NHL debut.
Nazar signed his entry-level contract on Saturday and was immediately added to the squad. He didn’t appear to be intimidated by the transition from playing in the Frozen Four for Michigan on April 11th to competing against one of the finest teams in the NHL, the Hurricanes.
Nazar scored his first NHL goal on a breakaway in the first period, putting the Hawks ahead 1-0.
Nazar played 15:55 minutes of ice time, including some time on the penalty kill. That is a lot of trust to place in a rookie who had only played in a college game three days prior. The Hawks put a lot of faith in their 2022 first-round pick.
Losing is inevitable during a major reconstruction, but at least we got a peek of better days ahead.
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