Yes, he's a fringe NHL talent who shouldn't play in important games, but if the Hawks really want someone like Mashinter to eat fourth-line minutes in December, that's okay.
The Blackhawks know how they want to beat you. They'll do it with speed, guile and a cool sense of confidence. They'll massage the salary cap to play the numbers game as well as anyone. They'll trust the system even if it means losing 3 out of 7 times because they'll win the series.
They'll also play someone like Brandon Mashinter over and over during the regular season, even though he doesn't seem to fit the team's system at all.