Top 20 Detroit Red Wings Prospects To Watch In 2019-20
By Tyler Kotila
Robert Mastrosimone, Chicago Steel (USHL), 60 points in 2018-19
The Detroit Red Wings selected a forward in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft after selected defenseman Antti Tuomisto earlier in the same round. Robert Mastrosimone is a smaller forward, who is a left-handed shot that is an offensive threat first and foremost. He is a center and left-winger so that he can be a flexible forward for the Red Wings.
Mastrosimone is another product of the USHL; he managed thirty-one goals and twenty-nine assists for a total of sixty-points. Playing for the Chicago Steel, he managed to put up a total of 105 points over 104 games played during two years with the USHL club.
His level of play and success with the USHL team earned him a chance to play for Boston University during his NCAA years. Mastrosimone will start his time with the Boston University this season as a freshman hoping to impress right off the bat.
Being able to stickhandle phenomenally is Mastrosimone’s significant standout quality. Mastrosimone has been impressive in his ability to carry the puck, stickhandle through traffic and make plays resulting in scoring chances whether it be him shooting to score or create opportunities for his linemates to score as well. He may not be able to jump into the Boston University system and be dominant, but he should get a chance to prove that he can transfer his skills to the NCAA level.
Mastrosimone will need to work on and improve his game when not involved in the play. Being able to be in a good position when not carrying the puck or being involved in the play will be crucial to Mastrosimone’s development as a future NHL talent for the Detroit Red Wings.
He also will need to work on his skating so that it can match his level of stickhandling which is pretty impressive as is. Being able to be more aware when not having the puck should be the most worked on the part of his game for now.
Early Expectation: Mastrosimone will play this season with Boston University, and the coming years until the Red Wings are ready to sign him to an entry-level contract. In terms of development, he should be able to fine-tune his game and become an offensive asset when he makes the jump from the NCAA level to the AHL or NHL roster.
He could be an offensive forward with upside based on his development at the NCAA level and eventually the AHL/NHL level.