The Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) is pleased to announce the 2025 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominees.
Each of the PHWA’s 32 local chapters submitted nominations for the Masterton Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game.”
The top three vote-getters, as determined by a membership-wide runoff, will be designated as finalists. The Masterton Trophy will be awarded, along with the other NHL major awards, during the Stanley Cup Final.
The following are this year’s nominees:
Anaheim: John Gibson
Now in his 12th season, Gibson is the longest tenured Ducks player and has endured a lengthy rebuild where his own statistics have taken a major downturn over the last six years. The 31-year-old goalie also went into this season with the specter of Lukas Dostal looking to take his over longtime role as Anaheim’s undisputed No. 1 netminder. An emergency appendectomy occurring during training camp also delayed the start of Gibson’s season until November. With all that and other injuries he’s had to battle through, Gibson has responded with a .911 save percentage and 2.77 goals-against average that are his best marks in six years. With three more victories for 207 in his career, he can pass Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the all-time mark in Ducks history.
Boston: Joonas Korpisalo
When Korpisalo arrived in Boston as a part of the Linus Ullmark trade, he was coming off a difficult NHL season. His .890 save percentage in Ottawa was the second-lowest of his 300 plus game NHL career playing behind a young Sens group. Korpisalo persevered through those struggles to rebound in Boston as one of the lone bright spots in a down Bruins year. Korpisalo lowered his GAA under 3.00 and upped his save percentage while playing steady backup behind Jeremy Swayman. And he’s done it behind a Bruins defense having one of its worst years in recent memory.
Buffalo: Jason Zucker
Zucker and the Sabres took a one-year chance on each other in free agency and it’s been a mutually beneficial decision. The 33-year-old joined the NHL’s youngest team and is en route to his sixth 20-goal season while leading the club in power-play goals. But it’s outside the stat sheet where Zucker has made his greatest impact. The team’s young players, particularly Czech center Jiri Kulich, have gravitated to Zucker and he has instantly become a key part of the team’s leadership core. At the trade deadline, Zucker re-signed (2/$4.75M per) and will likely wear a letter next season.
Calgary: Justin Kirkland
Kirkland was one of the best stories of the fall — a guy who’d refused to give up on his NHL dream, with a shootout move that seldom seemed to fail. Kirkland scored his first career goal at age 28. That memorable marker was a well-deserved reward after spending most of eight seasons in the minors and recovering from head trauma and other injuries sustained in a motor-vehicle accident as he was driving to a game with the Anaheim Ducks in 2023. Kirkland was establishing himself as full-timer with the Flames when he suffered a season-ending ACL injury in late November.
Carolina: Jordan Staal
Jordan Staal continues to be one of hockey’s best defensive forwards in his 19th season and captained the Hurricanes to the playoffs for the seventh straight season. It marks the third time the 35-year-old has been nominated, previously earning the honor in 2021 and 2018, when he was a finalist. Staal is closing in on 300 career goals but is best known for shutting down the game’s best players. That includes on the penalty kill, where he is first over the boards for a unit that is the best in the league since he arrived in Carolina in 2012.
Chicago: Pat Maroon
Maroon thought his NHL career was over before it began. Five years into his professional career, he had played in just two NHL games and was basically kicked out of the Flyers organization for what he later called a “bad attitude.” But 13 years and nearly 850 NHL games later, Maroon is retiring as a three-time Stanley Cup champion and a well-loved and respected figure across the league. Instead of spending his last season chasing a fourth championship, he spent it on a rebuilding Blackhawks team, taking young players under his wing and teaching them to be the pros it took him so long to become himself. “Hopefully, when I leave, I’ll have made an impact,” he said. “Hopefully, I helped.”
Colorado: Gabriel Landeskog
Landeskog has not been able to play for the Avalanche since lifting the Stanley Cup in June 2022. He has had four procedures done on his right knee, the most recent being cartilage replacement surgery in May 2023. No player has returned to the NHL after having that procedure done. Landeskog’s commitment to rehabbing his knee and attempting a comeback, while still acting as captain of the Avalanche and being around the team as much as possible, has been the epitome of dedication and perseverance to hockey.
Columbus: Sean Monahan
Monahan, who has been the picture of grace and dignity amid an unspeakable tragedy, and who has had one of the best seasons in his 12-year NHL career, is the Columbus nominee for the Masterton Trophy. Monahan, 30, joined the Blue Jackets as a free agent to play with his best friend, Johnny Gaudreau. But Gaudreau’s death in August rocked the hockey world and sent Monahan reeling. His response has been triumphant and inspiring. Monahan has centered one of the league’s top lines while maintaining a point-a-game pace (16-32-48 in 45 games), and has Columbus in a playoff race.
Dallas: Jason Robertson
Robertson overcame the most significant injury of his career — offseason foot surgery — and his worst start in six years in Dallas to become the team’s leading goal scorer again. He missed out on a Team USA selection for 4 Nations, but since Jan. 1, is tied for second in goals and fifth in points in the NHL. He has had to battle both mental and physical roadblocks this year to return to his place as one of the top goal scorers in the league.
Detroit: Patrick Kane
Kane’s perseverance and dedication shows in how at 36, he still plays sublimely, with a .82 points-per-game average and team-leading six game-winning goals. From Feb. 22-April 4, Kane led Wings with 22 points in 20 games. Following invasive hip surgery in June 2023, Kane has recorded consecutive 20-goal seasons with the Wings, and now has done so 17 times overall in his career, moving into first place for American-born players. Averages 20 minutes, but has only 12 penalty minutes. Exemplifies sportsmanship by being a good pro and always makes himself accountable to reporters.
Edmonton: Calvin Pickard
Pickard was Colorado’s 2nd round pick in 2010 and the No. 1 selection in Vegas’s expansion draft. Through seven organizations, 10 NHL seasons and 140-some NHL starts, Pickard stepped in this season when Oilers starter Stu Skinner was injured, reliably carrying Edmonton down the stretch. This season marks Pickard’s first 20-win campaign, at age 32. He has forged a .903 career saves percentage, a smaller goalie still winning games in a “have pads will travel” career that shows no signs of ending any time soon. “We love the guy in here,” said Leon Draisaitl after a recent win.
Florida: Jesper Boqvist
The 26-year-old was non-tendered by the Boston Bruins after playing 47 games for them, splitting time between the NHL and AHL. He signed a one-year, $775,000 prove-it deal with the Panthers to fortify their bottom-six forward depth. Since then, he has established himself as an integral player in Florida’s lineup. Boqvist has already set a career high in games played (71) and goals (12) and tied his career high in points (23). He then signed a two-year contract extension.
Los Angeles: Drew Doughty
Doughty’s 17th NHL season almost ended before it started as Doughty suffered a fractured ankle and ligament damage on his first shift of the Los Angeles Kings’ first preseason game. Doughty was determined to rehab the most severe injury of his career and after missing 48 regular season games, he returned to the Kings lineup in late January to become the first defenseman in franchise history to play 1,200 games. He was a member of Team Canada’s victorious 4 Nations squad and leads Los Angeles in average time-on-ice.
Minnesota: Marc-Andre Fleury
In his farewell season to a Hall of Fame career, Fleury still endeared himself to fans, teammates and opponents with his commitment, dedication and passion to hockey. So admired for 22 years as a sportsman, even longtime rival Alex Ovechkin gathered his Washington teammates for one of many public, heartfelt tributes to Fleury this season. The second winningest goalie in NHL history accepted a backup role and prioritized team success over personal accolades despite being on the cusp of retirement. He has long been one of the game’s most beloved figures — for his competitiveness on the ice, how he treats people off it and his unbridled love and enthusiasm for a sport that won’t be the same without him.
Montreal: Josh Anderson
Anderson summarized his 23-24 season in two words, saying “I sucked” during the end of year availability. Head coach Martin St-Louis challenged Anderson to thrive in a new role this season. Anderson became a heart and soul player for the Canadiens. He rediscovered his scoring touch, but also became a key member of an efficient penalty kill unit. Anderson kept going this winter despite an injury that kept him out of most practices since mid-January. Over a year after St-Louis claimed that “Josh is back”, everyone can now admit that it is now the case.
Anderson a été le premier à reconnaître qu’il avait connu une saison 23-24 difficile. L’entraîneur-chef Martin St-Louis l’a défié en le plaçant dans un nouveau rôle cette saison et Anderson est redevenu un membre important du Canadien. Il a retrouvé sa touche offensive, mais est aussi devenu un élément important en infériorité numérique. Anderson a également continué à briller malgré une blessure qui l’a contraint à rater la majorité des entraînements depuis la mi-janvier. Plus d’un an après que St-Louis eut affirmé que « Josh est de retour », on doit admettre que c’est le cas.
Nashville: Nick Blankenburg
Nothing has been given to Blankenburg, everything earned. A look at the stops he’s made show he’s traversed North America and played in some locales and leagues not known for producing NHLers, but he kept going. Blankenburg walked on at the University of Michigan, eventually earning a scholarship for his senior year, when he also served as captain of the Wolverines. Undrafted, Blankenburg spent three seasons with Columbus, playing 55 NHL games. He signed with Nashville in the offseason and has been a regular in the lineup since being recalled in late November after starting in the AHL.
New Jersey: Jesper Bratt
Bratt’s commitment to the game is exemplified to his dedication on and off the ice. His hard work and perseverance have resulted in Bratt playing in every single game since April 2022. The Swedish forward has become a star in NHL, thus becoming one of the leaders in New Jersey. He even broke Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Stevens’ team assists record.
NY Islanders: Mike Reilly
Reilly, 31, in his 10th season and second with the Islanders, suffered a concussion on Nov. 1. The symptoms quickly subsided but, during regular post-concussion testing, a heart defect was identified that otherwise would have gone undetected. Even though it was determined early it was neither a life- nor career-threatening condition, Reilly admitted to plenty of natural anxiousness when told of the diagnosis. He missed 54 games before returning on March 16, spending much of the time on his own skating and working out in a determined effort to play again this season.
NY Rangers: Jonny Brodzinski
After bouncing between the AHL and NHL with three organizations over the first nine seasons of his professional hockey career, Brodzinski is enjoying his first full season in the NHL. Last season, Brodzinski earned his first one-way contract since the second year of his two-year extension with the Kings in 2018-19, which came after his rookie campaign. The 31-year-old journeyman has finally enjoyed some stability while setting a career high in goals (10) and taking on an expanded role. A former captain of the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford, Brodzinski has also been a leader and go-to for young players.
Ottawa: David Perron
Perron is in his first year with the Ottawa Senators and has found his groove after overcoming a tough start on and off the ice. Perron missed games at the beginning of the season to tend to his daughter Elizabeth, who experienced health complications before her birth in late October. Perron then missed two months with an upper-body injury before returning in January. The winger has since found a home on one of the Sens’ most productive lines in the second half of the season with Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens.
Philadelphia: Ivan Fedotov
In May 2022, then-25 year old Fedotov signed with the Flyers to pursue his NHL dream. Two months later, however, he was arrested in Russia for evasion of military service. He didn’t play hockey at all in 2022-23, serving on a Russian aircraft carrier. He returned to the KHL in 2023-24, but still harbored NHL hopes. Finally, after his KHL contract was terminated in March 2024, Fedotov came to North America, and was Philadelphia’s primary backup netminder in 2024-25. His story is a testament to his dedication to hockey through unexpected challenges, and steadfast resolve to achieve his dream.
Pittsburgh: Boko Imama
After waiting six years to make his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season, Imama had played in only 15 games in the league when the Penguins placed him on waivers in training camp. By then, his work ethic, enthusiasm and physicality had impressed coached. Imama was hardly a regular with the Penguins before his season-ending biceps injury in March, but he had played in a career-high 16 games in Pittsburgh. He’s the classic popular role player with an infectious, team-first approach who finally found some stability with his fourth organization.
San Jose: Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Vlasic, now in his 19th NHL season, reached three career milestones this year that speak to his perseverance and dedication to the game. In January, Vlasic became the 74th player in league history to appear in 1,300 games, and in March, he set a new NHL record for most career blocked shots. Mark Giordano held the previous mark of 2,164. In April, Vlasic became just the fourth defenseman in NHL history to score at least one goal in 19 consecutive seasons with one team, joining Ray Bourque (21 seasons), Nicklas Lidström (20 seasons), and Kris Letang (19 seasons).
Seattle: Jaden Schwartz
Enduring injuries in two of his first three seasons with the Kraken meant Schwartz and the impact he could provide was limited. This season has seen him remain healthy with the notion he could play in more than 80 games for the first time since the 2013-14 season. A healthy Schwartz has provided the Kraken with a veteran forward who does more than lead them in goals this season. The 32-year-old also serves as an alternate captain for a franchise that’s has gone through and is still undergoing change. Whether it be a new coaching staff to ushering the first wave of prospects down to moving on from key players such as Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev with the latter two forwards being two members of the first team in franchise history. Having a venerable presence like Schwartz has made him a bridge for a franchise trying to take the next step.
St. Louis: Ryan Suter
When Suter was bought out for the second time in his career last summer, the defenseman felt he still had “a ton” to give and signed a one-year contract with the Blues. While turning 40 years old this season, he’s on pace to play all 82 games for the 11th time in his 18 full seasons in the NHL. He’s played 1,500-plus games, making him just one of just 21 players in history (third American-born) and the seventh defensemen to reach the milestone. He was drafted by the Nashville Predators No. 7 overall in 2003, before current Blues Dalibor Dvorsky and Jimmy Snuggerud were born.
Tampa Bay: Ryan McDonagh
On a Lightning team with plenty of star power, the return of McDonagh might be the biggest reason Tampa Bay is again a Cup contender. Simply said, the Lightning weren’t the same defensive team in the two seasons following his departure, and now with his calming veteran presence back, Tampa Bay is 5th in scoring defense (22nd last season, 15th season before). Playing such a physically demanding position, McDonagh eats minutes & pucks. He leads all NHL players with a plus-41 ratio and just became the 8th player in NHL history to record 2,000 career blocked shots.
Toronto: John Tavares
This has been one of Tavares’s most rewarding NHL campaigns, his most goals in six years (now ninth in franchise game-winning goals), a strong second half, key piece of the Leafs highly ranked power play (now seventh in franchise power-play goals) and a league faceoff frontrunner. He is still a vital part of their leadership group in the early-season absence of Matthews and he’s hinted that being snubbed by Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off roster has motivated him further. Tavares is frequently mentioned by teammates as inspiration for their conditioning and competitive motors. He’s helped countless young Leafs adapt to the Toronto fishbowl in his seven seasons by having some stay at his home as part of his own young family.
Utah: Mikhail Sergachev
Sergachev had to relearn how to walk after breaking his tibia and fibula last season while also adjusting to a new team after a blockbuster trade. He handled the challenge as a pro and turned into a fortified No. 1 defenseman for Utah. Sergachev has 47 points (14 goals 33 assists) while skating on the top pair, power play and penalty kill. He also leads the team in TOI with an average 25:15. His leadership, though, might stand out the most.
Vancouver: Dakota Joshua
Joshua’s season began in a way no player wants to begin: it was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After undergoing surgery on the eve of training camp, Joshua missed the first six weeks of the season as he underwent further treatment and post-operative care. Since his return he’s slowly found his way back to the forechecking force Canucks fans know him for; his scoring touch remains elusive but his positive, upbeat spirit has driven his perseverance.
Vegas: Tomas Hertl
Hertl navigated a tumultuous 2024, undergoing knee surgery in February and being traded to a new organization for the first time in his career less than a month later. Despite struggling early on to find chemistry and his own game, Hertl’s positive mindset throughout embodied everything a pro hockey player should. Now on the other side of it, he has become a major reason why the Golden Knights could win the Pacific Division, and is fueling the league’s top power play.
Washington: Alex Ovechkin
Ovechkin has dedicated his past 20 years to hockey, leading the Washington Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship along the way and this spring breaking Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record. Ovechkin has missed fewer than 100 games for any reason over that time and remained one of the NHL’s best and most visible players. His pursuit of Gretzky’s record brought joy to the sport and overshadowed playoff races to the point that it was the league’s biggest story. Ovechkin at age 39 delivered one of the sport’s most memorable moments, passing Gretzky even after breaking his left leg and missing 16 games earlier in the season.
Winnipeg: Neal Pionk
Pionk endured a harsh personal tragedy in dealing with the loss of best friend and former University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs teammate Adam Johnson, who died in a horrible skate-cut accident while playing overseas. Pionk persevered, but the emotional toll was high and he spoke openly about using his time at the rink to help with the healing process. Pionk spent some time in the summer with the Johnson family and has delivered one of the best seasons of his NHL career.
