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Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I don't know much about the situations of most of the other players nominated. It looks largely like the usual role players and cagey veterans that are exceeding expectations this year.

Who would Kylington's main competitors be on that list? Any other guys that had to overcome huge obstacles?

My prediction for the final three are Kylington, Andersen, and Rossi.

CALGARY — OLIVER KYLINGTON

Kylington has preferred not to share all the details of his extended absence for mental-health reasons, but the 26-year-old revealed as he returned to action in late January that he’d worried he may not be able to resume his promising career. As he told reporters prior to his first NHL game in nearly 20 months: “At one point in time, I didn’t think I was going to be here.” Kylington, who continued to work with Flames’ support staff through his personal leave, is now once again a fixture on Calgary’s blue-line. His comeback is one of the best feel-good stories of the 2023-24 campaign and he has undoubtedly inspired and provided hope for many hockey fans facing their own mental-health challenges.

CAROLINA — FREDERIK ANDERSEN

In early November, it looked like Andersen’s career might be over. The 34-year-old Hurricanes goalie started the season with a 4-1-0 record after re-signing with Carolina in the offseason, but a blood-clotting issue sidelined Andersen and threatened both his health and career. While the Hurricanes struggled in net, Andersen and the team’s doctors sought answers, and in late January it was announced he was cleared to return to practice after undergoing treatment for deep-vein thrombosis that led to pulmonary embolisms. On March 7, he made his first start in more than four months. It would have been understandable if Andersen looked rusty, but he allowed two or fewer goals in his first six starts, all wins, and made a case to reclaim his job as Carolina’s No. 1 goalie as the playoffs approach. In a career that has had starts and stops, Andersen is again at the top of his game after facing his biggest challenge.

MINNESOTA — MARCO ROSSI

One more game could have meant tragedy for Rossi. After the World Juniors with Austria, the Wild’s 2020 first-round pick reported to Minnesota in Jan. 2021 excited to make his NHL debut. Instead, Rossi was devastated when Wild doctors discovered he had myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart that can be a complication of COVID-19. Continuing to play hockey could have been life-threatening. Rossi was shut down and kept off the ice and out of the gym for nearly five months before returning to the sport. He went on to make his Wild debut in 2022 but played most of last season in the minors after making the Wild out of training camp but contributing just one assist in 16 games. Determined to become an NHLer, Rossi chose to spend last offseason in Minnesota working with the Wild’s strength coach and skating coach. The transformation was incredible. Noticeably stronger and faster, Rossi became only the second Wild rookie in history to score 20 goals in a season and ranked one behind Chicago’s Connor Bedard for the rookie lead in late March.