Linus Ullmark, Rasmus Dahlin, Gabriel Landeskog among Masterton nominees

Ullmark, Dahlin, Landeskog among Masterton nominees

Published: April 08, 2026 at 8:51AM EDT

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominees were revealed Wednesday morning, awarded annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”

Among the nominees unveiled so far Wednesday are Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark, Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin and Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.

“It’s both good and bad in a way,” Ullmark told select journalists last week when he learned of his nomination, per The Athletic. “You don’t really want it because that means you’ve gone through a lot of stuff, and it means that you’re going through hardships that maybe people don’t want you to go through.”

Ullmark took a leave of absence for mental health reasons from Dec. 28 to Jan. 31 and has helped the Senators claw their way into the playoff race since returning.

Dahlin’s fiancé, Carolina, suffered heart failure while the couple vacationed in France last summer and required a transplant. The Sabres defenceman visited her several times during the season as she recuperated in Sweden. In March, Carolina was able to attend a game in Buffalo and Dahlin called the fan support they received “unbelievable.”

Landeskog is playing his first regular season in three years after requiring several knee procedures following his Stanley Cup run with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. Landeskog has also dealt with injuries during the 2025-26 campaign but has still played in 56 games, helping the Avs to a league-leading 112 points.

The winner is selected in a poll of all chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season. Forward Sean Monahan of the Columbus Blue Jackets took home last year’s award.