Colorado Avalanche Masterton nominee symbolizes everything award stands for

This year’s Bill Masterton Trophy finalists signal everything that the award is about. But, in particular, the Colorado Avalanche’s Gabriel Landeskog is the poster child for the trophy.

The three finalists this season are the Minnesota Wild's Marc-Andre Fluery, the Columbus Blue Jackets' Sean Monahan, and of course, Landeskog.

Fleury continueds to play at a high level even though he's in his 40s. In his final season in the NHL, Fleury posted a 2.93 GAA and an .899 SV% and has hardly looked like a backup goalie.

As for Monahan, he represented the Blue Jackets' perseverance this season amid the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother. Monahan, in particular, suffered tremendous grief as he and Gaudreau were close friends.

But Landeskog, well, we know how harrowing his journey back to the ice has been. He gritted through the Avs’ 2022 Cup run on a shattered knee that required extensive surgery to repair.

It took him nearly three years and when he came back, he didn’t just limp around waiting to settle in. He hit the ground running and has looked like a monster out there on the ice.

If there’s anyone who embodies perseverance and dedication to hockey, it’s Gabe Landeskog.

Now, let me be clear about something: Landeskog isn’t a washed-up athlete trying to rekindle some of the magic he once had. This is the story of an elite-level athlete whose career was cut short by a devastating injury.

Gabe Landeskog is a man who won’t take no for an answer. He’s got the heart of a lion and won’t back down from a challenge, even if it means leading his team through excruciating pain.

Why didn’t Gabe Landeskog just retire from Colorado Avalanche?

That’s a question that was posed more than once throughout Landeskog’s journey back to the ice.

In fact, I even asked this question myself. If the injury is so severe, why doesn’t Landeskog just pack it in and call it a career?

I know why.

I went through a knee injury myself years ago. I had worn out the cartilage in my right knee to the point where it was practically bone-on-bone. Long story short, I managed to avoid surgery with meds, rehab, exercise, and losing weight.

I have always been an athlete. So, the thought of not being able to play sports never crossed my mind. I just knew I had to work hard to get back in the best shape of my life.

It took me two years, but I got there. That was about 20 years ago. I’m into endurance sports and, while I still deal with pain, I know it’s a natural part of the process.

That’s why I can only imagine how Landeskog’s legs must feel after a game. But you wouldn’t know that by looking at him out there on the ice. Even if the Avalanche fizzle out this postseason, Landeskog’s return is something that has made this Dallas-Colorado series even more memorable.