Masterton Trophy - Okposo nominated (Eichel too)

[Pimlach]

Buffalo Sabres nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy is Kyle Okposo.   Kyle had a great season, overcame injuries, and lead a young team to a surprising season.   He showed us what leadership is. 

One of the more subjective awards for sure, it is for “Perseverance and dedication” to the game.  Past Sabres winners are Don Luce and Pat  LaFontaine. 
 

Usually this trophy goes to high character guys who overcame big obstacles. 
 

Vegas has nominated Jack Eichel for the Masterton Trophy. Every team nominates a player, then the list is cut to 3, then 1. 

[dudacek]

I have no idea the stories he is competing against, but Kyle would be a worthy winner.

Lafontaine and Luce previous Sabres winners.

[Taro T]

Could see Okposo actually winning it.  Very compelling story from nearly dying to finally, after literally years of recovering, getting his game back.  Being "the" captain of a team that FINALLY SEEMS headed in the right direction is a bonus as is his being generally regarded as one of the good guys.

No idea who's story will be more compelling than that.  (Don't follow the entirety of the league that much any more.  11 years does something to one's spirit.)

Good luck, Kyle.  Hope you win it.

Edited April 28, 2022 by Taro T
Friggin' autocorrect.

[steveoath]

Hope he gets it. I have really enjoyed watching Kyle play this year. He is a total leader. And I have just ordered an Okposo jersey so I am not biased at all!

[Curt]

Just a note on this.  It’s not the team, but the media members in the market who nominate the players.  Each media group nominates one player.

[PerreaultForever]

16 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Vegas has nominated Jack Eichel for the Masterton Trophy. Every team nominates a player, then the list is cut to 3, then 1. 

Vegas nominating Eichel is telling me that either they are already feeling the need to try to make Eichel into something he isn't, or that team is devoid of leadership and an actual worthy nominee. Explains a lot either way. 

[Huckleberry]

5 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Vegas nominating Eichel is telling me that either they are already feeling the need to try to make Eichel into something he isn't, or that team is devoid of leadership and an actual worthy nominee. Explains a lot either way. 

Personally I hope he wins, can't wait for the speech he will give 😛

[Pimlach]

6 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Vegas nominating Eichel is telling me that either they are already feeling the need to try to make Eichel into something he isn't, or that team is devoid of leadership and an actual worthy nominee. Explains a lot either way. 

They guy underwent a controversial neck surgery and came back to play in the same season. The trophy is for perseverance and dedication.   Seems like a reasonable nomination.  

[Brawndo]

3 hours ago, Pimlach said:

They guy underwent a controversial neck surgery and came back to play in the same season. The trophy is for perseverance and dedication.   Seems like a reasonable nomination.  

His Nomination Press Release mentioned the fact Eichel stood up for Players to Have Control of Their Medical Decision Making Process as a primary reason as well 

[PerreaultForever]

5 hours ago, Pimlach said:

They guy underwent a controversial neck surgery and came back to play in the same season. The trophy is for perseverance and dedication.   Seems like a reasonable nomination.  

perseverance - so insisting on one medical plan over another and not bending, is that perseverance or just stubbornness?

dedication - to what? Himself? Definitely wasn't dedicated to winning in Buffalo or to Buffalo fans.

2 hours ago, Brawndo said:

His Nomination Press Release mentioned the fact Eichel stood up for Players to Have Control of Their Medical Decision Making Process as a primary reason as well 

Ya, that's definitely an aspect players, agents and union reps would want highlighted, but the nomination still seems like a PR move by Vegas to try to show their fanbase what a great guy he is. So sure, Lehner got one so give one to Jack too and they can swap stories of who's the greater. 

 

[Marvin]

4 hours ago, Brawndo said:

His Nomination Press Release mentioned the fact Eichel stood up for Players to Have Control of Their Medical Decision Making Process as a primary reason as well 

So I guess the LVGK press people momentarily forgot about Lehner.

[spndnchz]

Forgot about Dre