Blackhawks Sign Del Mastro to Two-Year Contract
Chicago signed its final restricted free agent one day before training camp, but any assignment to Rockford would now require waivers.
The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Ethan Del Mastro to a two-year contract Wednesday, one day before training camp opens. The deal carries a $950,000 salary-cap hit, begins in 2026-27 and runs through the 2027-28 season, the club announced.
Del Mastro, 23, recorded one assist in 19 games with Chicago in 2025-26. He added 18 points, including two goals and 16 assists, in 45 games with the Rockford IceHogs.
The 2021 fourth-round pick has seven points, including two goals and five assists, in 45 career NHL games. He also has 64 points, with nine goals and 55 assists, in 161 regular-season AHL games since turning pro in 2023-24.
Del Mastro was Chicago's last unsigned restricted free agent after the club reached a two-year deal with fellow defenseman Kevin Korchinski in August.
The roster question now shifts to waivers. Del Mastro is no longer waiver-exempt, so Chicago would have to expose him to the rest of the league before assigning him to Rockford. The left-handed defenseman also played on the right side at times last season, giving the organization another option as it sets its opening roster.
