[News] Kylington named Flames nominee for Masterson Trophy

[Reggie Dunlop]

Crosby's been nominated before, and has yet to win. He'd be the sentimental favourite despite Kylington's compelling case.

[GioforPM]

Hrudey made a pitch for Kylington on a national broadcast a couple weeks or so ago.

[MrMike]

I love this guy and hope he becomes our captain some day. I could see a Giordano type career length out of him.

[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?

[Titan2]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

,,,The only other one that could come close is Couturier for the off-ice stuff he's also had to go through.

...

I'm not sure a player has ever gotten it for having to play for Torts. Probably a strong argument to be made!

[looooob]

Drouin is an interesting one to ponder. I of course do favour OK

[MissTeeks]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1776332762623987750

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

So great. Congrats Oliver.

[getbak]

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.

[getbak]

Interesting to note who Friedman and Daily Faceoff used as the image in their tweets...

https://twitter.com/user/status/1776329863697187194

https://twitter.com/user/status/1776203128268112119

[Goriders]

Always cool to see people overcome adversity and find success.

Very hard not to cheer for them.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by getbak

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

Fair prediction, but again, Sean Couturier took a very, very long road back to playing hockey.

PHILADELPHIA — SEAN COUTURIER

When Couturier underwent his second back surgery in 10 months in October 2022 — after the first failed to fix the initial problem — there was reason to worry about the soon-to-be 30-year-old’s NHL future. His eventual return to action was far from assured, especially after he missed the entirety of 2022-23 due to the injury. But Couturier’s perseverance and dedication to hockey showed in his relentless approach to his rehabilitation process, and this time, it paid off. Couturier was back for Game 1 of the 2023-24 season — his first since December 18, 2021 — and quickly re-established himself as one of the top players on a surprising Flyers club and the team’s unquestioned leader, earning the Flyers’ vacant captain’s “C” in mid-February.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Would be fantastic to see someone recognized for overcoming mental health challenges.

There are two categories in Masterton winners that are sorely overlooked; mental health issues (Robin Lenher) and surviving the Edmonton Oilers (Devan Dubnyk)

[jayswin]

CP: This is beyond ridiculous at this point, I don't care about privacy the Flames MUST TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON!!! We deserve to know as paying customers!!

There was a lot of support, but damn was there also a lot of stupidity while OK was off. Glad to see him restart his career and look truly happy and grateful for every moment.

[dissentowner]

Thought this would go better in this thread, was talking to a source of mine and Kylington came up. In regards to his next contract there is no rush to get it done, Oliver only interested in playing here. Talks will start after season which was always the plan, team didn't want player thinking about contract and player wanted to just focus on comfort playing hockey again. Oliver and Flames management will have a conversation once season is over about where he is mentally as far as hockey goes and what they are all comfortable with in regards to term and salary.

[FanIn80]

Oliver should win. I was wanting to see some love for Monny, but I forgot his team would have to nominate him. Can't see WPG doing that.

[N-E-B]

Would love to see him win this

[Whynotnow]

Most of you know I don’t cheer for the flames, but man do I really want him to win this. I know a lot of the nominees have great stories, but what he’s been through and our societies battle to bring mental illness out into the open makes this an easy call for me. Hopefully the voters see it the same way.

[jg13]

It's a no brainer for me. Much like when Lehner won in 2019.