This week, the NHL will be revealing some award winners in the pregame show of a Conference Final game. Today’s award announcement was for the Bill Masterton Trophy which was won by Senators winger Bobby Ryan. The other two finalists were Flyers winger Oskar Lindblom and Stars defenseman Stephen Johns. The award is given to “to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey”.
Ryan took a leave of absence from the Senators in November to enter into the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program and was in there for close to three months. He had quite the memorable return as in his second game back, he had a hat-trick against Vancouver. Before the pandemic hit, Ryan had played in eight games, collecting four goals while playing over 16 minutes a night, well above his season average. While his season ended on a high note, he’ll remember it best for overcoming the alcohol abuse issues that saw him enter the assistance program and for sharing his story publicly.
Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma back in December, ending his regular season. At the time of his cancer diagnosis, he was leading the Flyers in goals with 11 and had 18 points in 30 games. He was well on his way to recovery at the time of voting and signed a three-year, $9MM contract back in July. While it was initially believed that he wouldn’t play in Philadelphia’s playoff run, Lindblom recovered quick enough to get into their last two games against the Islanders, playing more than 16 minutes in both contests. He looks well-positioned to once again be an important winger for the Flyers next season and could be a contender for this trophy next season as well.
Johns returned to the ice after missing 22 games due to lingering concussion trouble that first came about in Dallas’ training camp in 2018. He made an immediate impact upon his return, picking up an assist in his third game back and a goal in his fourth contest. Overall, he played in 17 games and logged an impressive 17:40 per game while adding some stability to the back half of their defense corps in the process. Johns suited up for their first four playoff games (all three Round Robin matches plus the first Qualifying Round game versus Calgary) before being injured. He remains unfit to play and there is no word on how long he’ll be out.
Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner was the recipient of the award last season. The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award is next up and will be revealed on Tuesday.
At best, Ryan should have been a distant third for this award.
Second year in a row they have gotten it very wrong. Evander Kane and Jordan Staal in tie and now Lindblom.
The road to the Masterton is evidently white and powdery.
All were very deserving with very different stories.
“The road to the Masterson is evidently white and powdery”. Classless comment
The road to sobriety and the strength to save your life is more important than any “trophy”
If I were just trashing Ryan in a vacuum, I’d agree. Good for Ryan or anyone who gets clean.
At some point, regardless of addiction being a disease, etc. Ryan (and Lehner)’s own choices contributed to their situation.
On the other hand, Staal and Kane were powerless and had to bury infant children. Lindblom also had no choice. No comparison.
Somewhere there is a player about to party thinking “I’m about to win the 2024 Masterton.”
Lehner also dealt with an untreated bipolar disorder and was later diagnosed with ADHD and PTSD. Was very suicidal
I can assure you as someone who battled a long road to sobriety, we don’t “choose” to be an alcoholic or addict. Lost in addiction, you lose the power of choice. Believe me, if I could go back and make a different “choice”, I would. Only by wanting (rather than needing) help, the process of recovery can begin
At the end of the day, does it really matter who gets the trophy? These are stories of success through personal pain and hardships. I do not know what it’s like to bury your infant child and I pray you nor I never have to deal with that
J.Voracek,2nd Rd pick to Ott for B.Ryan,Nyi 1st Rd ok.
Flyers trade an productive player for a player who’s mostly been a bust in Ott,but drop 2 years of high salary and swap a late 2nd for a late 1st.They could use Lindblom and Farabee(or maybe Frost) on the top 2 lines with Couts,G,Hayes,& Konecny.And then they can use Ryan and JvR as vet wingers on a 3rd with Patrick,Frost,or Laughton.
Ottawa dumps a player that they’d probably love to,get back a player who would be no less than top 6 for them,for the pick swap and absorbing 2 extra years of high salary.
No
they dont need to dump salery that badly
Why would Ottawa want Voracek? They want draft picks and young players.
Why would Philly want Ryan? They want to win games.
2020 strikes again!
It is interesting that there is no story on this website for Matt Dumba winning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, just like there was no story for Dale Tallon’s alleged racist remarks. Kinda seems like prohockeyrumors is ignoring one of the most important issues in the world and sports today. That issue being racism.
Wish Stephen Johns had won.Oskar Lindblom hit’s close to home as well.