Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, and Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews have been announced as the finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The trophy is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.
Here are the finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. 🏆 #NHLAwards
— NHL (@NHL) May 4, 2026
The Trophy is awarded annually by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey. pic.twitter.com/i01Cc6Sh4H
Dahlin, 26, scored a career high 74 points this season (19 goals, 55 assists) for the Sabres in his eighth season. Prior to the season, Dahlin’s fiancée, Carolina Matovac, suffered heart failure and was on life support for several weeks and eventually required a heart transplant. Matovac also later revealed that she had lost the couple’s unborn child during the ordeal. Dahlin took a leave of absence to attend her medical checkups in November. Matovec was deemed healthy enough to join Dahlin in Buffalo in March.
“That’s why he’s our captain,” Sabres forward Tage Thompson told The Athletic. “That’s why he’s a leader … Obviously, with what they’ve been going through this year, it’s the ultimate test for mental toughness to be able to go through that and still perform at the highest level and be a difference maker and still be a voice in the room and present here with everyone is pretty remarkable.”
Landeskog, 33, missed three full regular seasons due to a knee injury he played through during the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup run in 2022. He had knee cartilage replacement surgery in 2023 and became the first player to return to the NHL following that procedure when he re-joined the club during the 2025 playoffs.
“He has it all, man. Just feel super lucky to play with him and super happy for him to get back in the lineup, do as well as he’s done this year, making an impact every night,” said Avalanche forward Parker Kelly to the Denver Post.
Toews, 38, returned to the NHL for the first time in two and a half years following a variety of health issues, including long COVID and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. Returning to his hometown team, Toews scored 11 goals and 29 points in 82 games with the Jets.
“I am very thankful for all of the struggles,” Toews told the Winnipeg Sun. “Because honestly, it is cliche but it’s where I’ve learned the most about myself. About hockey, about life and all of those things. So I’m thankful.”
