The Colorado Avalanche will have a couple of extra days off in between Games 2 and 3 against the Minnesota Wild.
In the meantime, the NHL has been taking care of some housekeeping by announcing its latest nominees for this year’s awards.
On Monday, the league unveiled its nominees for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The award recognizes players for their perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. This award typically goes to players who have overcome some sort of hardship, usually injuries, and remain active in the NHL.
The nominees for the 2026 edition are Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, Gabriel Landeskog of the Avalanche, and Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets.
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 endured personal hardship as his fiancée suffered a life-threatening illness that required a heart transplant. Dahlin missed some time early this season while he was at his fiancée’s side. Thankfully, she has made a remarkable recovery and has been spotted at Sabres games.
Toews overcame a difficult illness (Long COVID and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) that sidelined him following the 2022-23 season. At one point, it was believed his career was over. However, he returned this season to play a full 82 games. He scored 11 goals and 29 points.
As for Landeskog, we all know what he’s overcome. He was off the ice for nearly three years following the excruciating knee injury he sustained in 2022. He has not only returned, but seems like nothing has happened to him. Landeskog, like Dahlin and Toews, embodies what it means to persevere in the face of adversity.
It would be the ultimate full-circle moment for Landeskog to hoist the Stanley Cup with Colorado one more time this season.
Avalanche Nelson lands Selke nomination
Meanwhile, Brock Nelson earned the nomination for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. This award goes to the league’s best defensive forward.
Nelson joins Anthony Cirelly of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens as finalists for the Selke in 2026.
Presenting the finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy! 🏆 #NHLAwards
— NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2026
The trophy is presented annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. pic.twitter.com/5pftUkfZLL
Cirelli is a matchup center, often playing a shutdown role with the Lightning. He’s been a key part of the Bolts’ success, matching up against other teams’ best forwards.
Suzuki has emerged as one of the best two-way forwards in the game. He’s a shutdown center while scoring a ton. He topped 100 points for the first time in his career.
Both Suzuki and Cirelli were members of Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
But Nelson trumps them both. He got the gold at Milano-Cortina, while scoring 33 goals and 65 points this season. He was a +15, averaging nearly 20 minutes a night. Nelson routinely draws difficult matchups, particularly against other teams’ top lines.
It’s hard to miss Nelson at times because not much happens when he’s on the ice most of the time. And that’s a good thing. If things are quiet, it means other teams are not scoring.
Meanwhile, Nelson stands out when his line scores. It will be tough for Nelson to beat Suzuki, given the tremendous season the Canadiens’ captain had. Still, the nomination is a much-deserved honor.
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