Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin (26) celebrates his goal with Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) during the first period in Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Boston Bruins Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

By The Canadian Press

Rasmus Dahlin, Gabriel Landeskog and Jonathan Toews named Masterton Trophy finalists

May 4, 2026 | 11:56 AM

NEW YORK — Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin and forwards Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche and Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets were named the finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Monday.

The award is presented annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” Voting is conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA).

Last summer, while on vacation in France, Dahlin’s fiancée, Carolina Matovac, suffered heart failure and spent several weeks on life support. She eventually received a heart transplant, which required months in hospital and rehab.

Matovac later revealed she had lost the couple’s unborn child. Matovac was deemed healthy enough to join Dahlin in Buffalo in March.

Landeskog missed three full seasons with knee issues after playing through injury during Colorado’s ’22 Stanley Cup run. He underwent four major procedures, including knee cartilage replacement in May 2023.

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He became the first player ever to return to the NHL after having that procedure done when he rejoined the Avalanche during the ’25 playoffs. His first full season back included broken ribs after crashing into the net in January.

Toews returned to the NHL this season after an absence of two-and-a-half years dealing with a variety of health-related issues. That included long Covid and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).

Toews, 38, signed a one-year deal with his hometown Jets. Toews not only played in all 82 of Winnipeg’s regular-season games, but he also reached double digits in goals for the 16th time in as many NHL seasons (11-18—29).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Rasmus Dahlin, Gabriel Landeskog and Jonathan Toews named Masterton Trophy finalists

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