The words perseverance, dedication and team spirit define the Bill-Masterton Trophy. Carey Price embodied those values this season by working hard to return to the game in the final stage of a season where there was no stake.
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Price has come a very long way before his April 15 return. Operated on a knee on July 23, two weeks after the elimination of the Canadian in five games against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final, number 31 was to be absent for a period of 10 to 12 weeks.
According to the initial plan drawn up by the doctors, the goalkeeper from Anahim Lake was to be absent for only a few games at the start of the season. But the plan was quickly derailed.
He didn’t recover as quickly due to the sudden movements needed for a keeper and a heavy medical history.
Price also chose to tackle another major issue, that of his mental health. Price also showed courage by enrolling in the NHL and NHLPA assistance program in October to combat a substance abuse problem. The move obviously forced him to take a break from his rehabilitation.
A hazardous return
Price banished a major doubt from his mind by making a comeback this season 282 days after his last game. In four starts, No. 31 suffered four losses, posting a 4.04 goals-against average and .853 save percentage.
Solid in his first two outings against the New York Islanders and Minnesota Wild, Price has allowed six goals in each of his last two games against the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators.
If his mission was to prove that he was 100% recovered, he replaced a doubt by his own mind and that of his coaches by withdrawing from the visit of the Boston Bruins during the tribute to Guy Lafleur, Sunday, in addition to not participating in the team’s next planned trip to New York on Wednesday.
Good candidates
Chosen by the Montreal chapter of the Association of Professional Hockey Writers (PHWA) to represent the Habs in the final ballot, Price will compete with 31 other players, one candidate for each of the 31 other NHL teams.
Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), Zdeno Chara (Islanders), Kyle Okposo (Sabres) and Kevin Hayes (Flyers) will receive multiple votes for this trophy. Quebecer Anthony Duclair (Florida Panthers) is also among the elected officials. Of the 32 candidates, there will be a vote to reduce this list to three finalists.
The winner of the trophy will be announced after the playoffs at the annual NHL Awards Gala.
Flyers color holder Oskar Lindblom earned the honor in 2020-21.
The other 31 candidates
Anaheim : Ryan Getzlaf
Arizona : Andrew Ladd
Boston : Jake Debrusk
Buffalo : Kyle Okposo
Calgary : Chris Tanev
Caroline: Antti Raanta
Chicago: Dylan Strome
Colorado : Jack Johnson
Columbus : Justin Danforth
Dallas: Tyler Seguin
Detroit: Marc Staal
Edmonton: Kris Russell
Florida: Anthony Duclair
Los Angeles: Blake Lizotte
Minnesota: Jared Spurgeon
Nashville: Mark Borowiecki
New Jersey: Nico Hischier
Long Island: Zdeno Chara
New York: Chris Kreider
Ottawa: Anton Forsberg
Philadelphia: Kevin Hayes
Pittsburgh: Brian Boyle
St. Louis: Vladimir Tarasenko
San Jose: Brent Burns
Seattle: Jaden Schwartz
Tampa Bay: Alex Killorn
Toronto: Ondrej Kase
Vancouver: Luke Schenn
Vegas: Jack Eichel
Winnipeg: Josh Morrissey
Washington: Nicklas Backstrom