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Landeskog’s Grit-Fueled Return Earns Another Masterton Nod
TL;DR
Gabriel Landeskog has been named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the second consecutive year, recognizing his remarkable return from a severe knee injury. He shares this year's nomination with Rasmus Dahlin and Jonathan Toews.
Key points
- Gabriel Landeskog is a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
- He has faced a significant knee injury and underwent a cartilage transplant.
- Landeskog is the first NHL player to return from this type of surgery.
Gabriel LandeskogRasmus DahlinJonathan ToewsColorado Avalanche
For the second straight year, Gabriel Landeskog has been named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy—a recognition that barely begins to capture the depth of his improbable, hard-fought return to the game.
Presented annually to the NHL player who best reflects perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy has become almost synonymous with Landeskog’s journey. He was also a finalist last season, though the voting had already concluded before he made his emotional return to the lineup during the postseason with the Colorado Avalanche.
This year, he shares the spotlight with Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres and Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets—but few stories resonate quite like Landeskog’s.
The 33-year-old winger lost three full NHL seasons to a devastating right knee injury, culminating in a cartilage transplant procedure in May 2023—uncharted territory for a hockey player at the time. His return made history, as he became the first NHL player to successfully come back from that surgery. What followed was not just a symbolic comeback, but a complete one: after a brief five-game postseason appearance last year, Landeskog powered through his first full season since 2021–22.
A Captain’s Pain, A Team’s Pulse
Statistically, his numbers—14 goals and 35 points in 60 regular-season games—only hint at his value. Add in five points across five playoff contests, and the production is solid. But the true measure of his impact is found in the Avalanche’s record: an astounding 50-7-8 when their captain is in the lineup, including postseason play.
That influence came at a cost. In January, during a game in , Landeskog crashed hard into the goal frame and suffered broken ribs—an injury that would sideline most players for far longer. Instead, he fought his way back in time to captain Sweden on the international stage. Not long after returning from that tournament, he faced another painful setback when a slap shot from teammate struck him in the nuts, forcing him to undergo surgery that kept him out for an additional two weeks.
Q&A
What is the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy?
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication.
How did Gabriel Landeskog return to play after his injury?
Gabriel Landeskog returned to play after undergoing a cartilage transplant procedure in May 2023, becoming the first NHL player to successfully come back from that surgery.
Who are the other finalists for the Bill Masterton Trophy alongside Landeskog?
This year, Gabriel Landeskog shares the finalist spotlight with Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres and Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets.