The Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) has officially released the full list of nominees for the 2025-26 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, recognizing one player from each of the league’s 32 franchises. The award, one of the most respected honors in professional sports, does not prioritize statistical dominance or scoring titles, but rather the intangible qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.
For many of the players on this year’s list, the nomination serves as a formal acknowledgment of a grueling road back to the ice. From recovering from catastrophic injuries to overcoming systemic professional setbacks, the Trophée Bill-Masterton : Les candidats dévoilés list highlights the human element of a sport often defined by its brutality and speed.
The selection process is driven by the journalists who cover these teams daily. Local reporters nominate a single player from their respective club, creating a diverse pool of candidates that spans the entire league. From here, the PHWA will narrow the field to three finalists before crowning a single winner, whose name will be etched into the history of a trophy established in 1968 to honor the memory of Bill Masterton, the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries sustained during a game.
A Legacy of Resilience and Recovery
The Masterton Trophy is unique because it transforms the narrative of a season from one of “lost time” to one of “triumph.” When a player is nominated, This proves typically an indication that they have faced a challenge that would have sidelined a lesser athlete. This year’s list includes a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, all of whom have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their teams and the sport.
Among the most notable names is Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. While Ovechkin is globally recognized for his pursuit of the all-time goals record, his inclusion here speaks to the discipline and physical endurance required to maintain an elite level of play deep into a storied career. Similarly, the presence of Jonathan Toews for Winnipeg suggests a narrative of persistence in the face of the physical and mental tolls that approach with leadership and longevity in the NHL.
The nomination of Gabriel Landeskog for Colorado underscores the specific nature of the trophy. Landeskog’s journey has been defined by a protracted battle with knee injuries, a struggle that has kept him away from the ice for significant periods. His nomination is a testament to the grueling rehabilitation process that occurs far from the spotlights of the arena.
The 2025-26 Nominees by Franchise
The following players have been selected by their local media representatives as the embodiment of perseverance for the current campaign. The list reflects a wide distribution across positions, with a significant number of goaltenders nominated, highlighting the unique psychological and physical pressures of the position.
| Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Ovechkin | Washington | Forward (A) |
| Jonathan Toews | Winnipeg | Forward (A) |
| Gabriel Landeskog | Colorado | Forward (A) |
| Mike Matheson | Montréal | Defense (D) |
| Linus Ullmark | Ottawa | Goaltender (G) |
The full list of candidates includes:
- Anaheim: Ville Husso (G)
- Boston: Charlie McAvoy (D)
- Buffalo: Rasmus Dahlin (D)
- Calgary: Devin Cooley (G)
- Caroline: Taylor Hall (A)
- Chicago: Spencer Knight (G)
- Colorado: Gabriel Landeskog (A)
- Columbus: Boone Jenner (A)
- Dallas: Jamie Benn (A)
- Detroit: Dominik Shine (A)
- Edmonton: Connor Ingram (G)
- Floride: Brad Marchand (A)
- Los Angeles: Anze Kopitar (A)
- Minnesota: Jesper Wallstedt (G)
- Montréal: Mike Matheson (D)
- Nashville: Ozzy Wiesblatt (A)
- Modern Jersey: Brenden Dillon (D)
- Islanders de New York: Kyle Palmieri (A)
- Rangers de New York: Matthew Robertson (A)
- Ottawa: Linus Ullmark (G)
- Philadelphie: Garrett Wilson (A)
- Pittsburgh: Anthony Mantha (A)
- San Jose: Laurent Broissoit (G)
- Seattle: Jordan Eberle (A)
- St. Louis: Jordan Binnington (G)
- Tampa Bay: Darren Raddysh (D)
- Toronto: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D)
- Utah: Clayton Keller (A)
- Vancouver: Kevin Lankinen (G)
- Vegas: Akira Schmid (G)
- Washington: Alex Ovechkin (A)
- Winnipeg: Jonathan Toews (A)
What the Nomination Means for the Players
While the Masterton Trophy does not carry the prestige of the Hart or the Norris in terms of athletic dominance, it carries a different, perhaps deeper, weight. For players like Mike Matheson in Montréal or Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Toronto, the nomination is a recognition of the “invisible work”—the hours spent in physiotherapy, the mental fortitude required to return to a high-contact sport after a major setback, and the willingness to lead by example.
The impact of this award extends beyond the individual. It signals to the locker room and the fan base that the grind of recovery is valued as much as the glory of a game-winning goal. In an era of high-speed analytics and advanced metrics, the Masterton remains one of the few honors based entirely on the character and spirit of the athlete.
For more information on the history of the award and the criteria used by the National Hockey League and its associated writers, the PHWA maintains the official record of all past recipients and the narratives that defined their wins.
Timeline and Next Steps
The process for determining the winner follows a strict sequence of events. Now that the initial 32 nominees have been revealed, the PHWA will move into the second phase of voting. The journalists will evaluate the stories of perseverance from across the league to select three finalists. These finalists will be announced at a later date, eventually leading to the announcement of the single winner who will be honored during the league’s postseason ceremonies.
The next official checkpoint will be the announcement of the three finalists, which the PHWA typically releases as the regular season concludes. This will narrow the field from the current 32 candidates to the final three contenders for the trophy.
We invite you to share your thoughts on this year’s nominees. Who do you believe has shown the most perseverance this season? Let us realize in the comments below.
