The Detroit Red Wings Robert Mastrosimone is unique in the organizational pipeline: he’s a sniper. How is the young forward developing since his selection in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft as one of Yzerman’s first draft picks?
2021 Statline
Boston University
Games Played: 15
Goals: 3
Assists: 5
Measurables
C/LW
5-foot-10
170 Pounds
20-years-old
Scouting Report
Mastrosimone is currently developing with Boston University in the NCAA. He’s spent the last two seasons in Boston, averaging roughly half a point per game as a center/winger both years (7 goals and 10 assists in 34 games in 2019; 3 goals and 5 assists in 15 in 2020).
Mastrosimone is a sniper, through-and-through. His wrister is lethal from anywhere on the ice; leave him unattended for too long at the point and he’ll activate. The rest of Mastrosimone’s shots are also quite accurate, especially at the front of the net.
Matrosimone’s proclivity to snipe the puck can be a negative at times. Especially in juniors, he would ignore passing oppurtinies/attempts in order to create a better goal-scoring chance for himself. Luckily, at Boston University, he seems to be finding a bit more of a balance offensively.
Mastrosimone has plenty of flaws to work out both defensively and offensively. His motor can be pretty lacking, especially on the defensive end. However, especially when forechecking in the offensive zone, Mastrosimone can pull of some tricky steals and force turnovers to create a high-danger chance or set up an offensive series.
Also, although some of his skills are nearly pro-ready (Especially his shot), Mastrosimone’s skating isn’t quite at an NHL level.
ETA: 2024-25
Mastrosimone is set to return to Boston University for a third season, which means he’ll probably end up going with the full four years. That would bring us to the 2023-24 season. Even if Mastrosimone starts progressing more rapidly with BU, he’ll need to play in the pros a bit before leaping to the NHL. Some time with the Griffins in the AHL would certainly help, and based on his current trajectory, it would likely end up being a full year in Grand Rapids.
Being such a raw prospect still, there’s a chance Mastrosimone never ends up on Detroit’s main roster. He has yet to sign an entry-level contract with the organization. However, he could take a path similar to Taro Hirose, where he swaps between Grand Rapids and Detroit after four years at college.