The Masterton nominees come in

by James Mirtle on Apr 30, 2009 1:01 PM CDT Comment 11 comments

Detroit’s Chris Chelios, Nashville’s Steve Sullivan and Florida’s Richard Zednik are the three finalists for the 2008-09 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded "to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey," the National Hockey League announced today. A $2,500 grant from the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minnesota, in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner.

This is another award that really doesn't have clearly defined guidelines on how to vote for it, and it's turned into essentially picking who had the worst injury or illness that they recovered from.

Not sure an award should be given for that.

My picks went to veterans who truly persevered or have shown extreme dedication to hockey, three guys who all could have retired after distinguished careers rather than continuing to play and not just those that suffered freak accidents or injuries:

Teppo Numminen
Chris Chelios
Steve Sullivan

As you can see from my poll, the choices for this award vary widely, as I'm sure is the case among the PHWA voters. I haven't a clue who'll win.

UPDATE And Zednik's now off to the KHL for some reason. The money must have talked, as he would have been able to find a team in the NHL next season after a decent year in Florida.

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“Whoa there, Chris! Be careful! This ice can get awfully slippery.”

Richard Zednik really is a model NHL citizen.

"Sweet Zarley Zalapski, Batman!"

by ZarleyZalapski on Apr 30, 2009 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Heh, there’s the sportsmanship coming into play!

Check out my blog at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Apr 30, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a great Create-a-Caption picture

And I think you may have won the award without the contest even happening.

Shut up when you're talking to me!

by Afino on Apr 30, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would be interesting if Zednik does win, a guy set to go to the KHL accepting an NHL award on his way out.

-Kevin Forbes
Hockey's Future

by kforbes on Apr 30, 2009 2:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

Strip him of his nomination! Alter the rules to say, “perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to NHL hockey…” :-)

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Apr 30, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zednik...

I don’t get it. It must be a stupidly overwhelming offer or the guy has a desire to be closer to his homeland because this is baffling.

Why wouldn’t he even wait until July 1 and see what he could get here? Personally it seems like a good idea to get full information before choosing to go to a league with crumbling financial problems, and a medical history that suggests you’d have died if you’d have suffered his accident in a KHL facility. Of all people…

by ConfidoBoyd on Apr 30, 2009 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I plea ignorance here, Can Zednik Legitimately sign before July 1st?

by cubanpuckstopper on Apr 30, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think KHL cares about any of that. They’ve “stolen” players before.

by snowburnt on Apr 30, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way Martin was going to pay him anywhere near whatever he was offered in Yaroslavl. Chances were slim to none he would be offered anything significant by Florida, and probably would have ended up in Rochester at some point next year. The team has made it clear that this summer is all about finding offense.

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by Donny Rivette on Apr 30, 2009 4:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Nonetheless, Florida is not the only NHL team.

by ConfidoBoyd on Apr 30, 2009 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know he has not has the best year statistically…. but how in hell is Rod Brind’Amour not a finalist? Two knee surgeries and still only missed a hand full of games in the season…. WTF??

by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 1, 2009 8:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs