Dahlin, Landeskog and Toews named 2026 Masterton Trophy finalists

A trio of star players is being recognized for their ability to overcome adversity in the sport they love.

On Monday, the NHL announced that Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews and Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog have been named finalists for the 2025-26 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The trophy, named in honor of late NHLer Bill Masterton, who tragically lost his life in a game during the 1967-68 season, is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”

Dahlin endured battles both on and off the ice this season. Along with leading the Sabres to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 15 years, he was supporting his fiancée, Carolina Matovec, who endured heart failure over the summer, spending several weeks on life support. Dahlin took time away from the team in November, as well as Christmas and after the Olympic break, to be with Matovec for her periodic checkups in Sweden. The couple also revealed that they had lost their unborn child. Thankfully, Matovec was deemed healthy to join Dahlin in Buffalo back in March.

Dahlin has the chance to become the third Sabre to win the award, joining the likes of Pat LaFontaine (1995) and Don Luce (1975).

Landeskog’s path back to playing is one that will go down in history. After helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, he didn’t play another game until late last season, joining the team in time for the 2025 playoffs. He had to overcome four major procedures, including a knee cartilage replacement operation in May 2023. This season, he suffered broken ribs after crashing into the net in January. Yet, his efforts on the ice helped Colorado clinch the Presidents’ Trophy.

Landeskog could become the first player in the history of the Avalanche to win the award.

Few expected to see Toews ever play again. Yet, after two-and-a-half years away from the league, he overcame a number of health-related issues, including Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and long COVID. He joined his hometown team, appearing in an NHL game for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

No player from the Winnipeg Jets, in either of the current or previous renditions of the franchise, has ever taken home the Bill Masterton.