Montreal Canadiens: Shea Weber is the proper Bill Masterton Nominee

The PHWA has chosen Shea Weber to be the Montreal Canadiens nominee for the Bill Masterton trophy, which is the best choice given his performance this season.

Now that Gary Bettman has confirmed the ending of the 2019-20 regular season, we’re technically in the offseason. Yesterday it was announced that voting for the 2020 NHL Awards has begun with the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) triggering discussion on who should get what award. The Montreal Canadiens may not have anyone up for one of those top trophies, but they’ll have Shea Weber in the running for the Bill Masterton Trophy.

The PHWA decides which player in each organization is nominated as the award goes to the player, “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.” Given the journey Weber has been on in the last two seasons, he’s the best and obvious choice for the nomination.

It starts at the beginning of the 2017-18 season, where a blocked shot in the season opener against the Buffalo Sabres injures Weber. He tries to play through it until he is officially shut down in December. After summer surgery and rehab, the Habs captain returns at the end of November of the 2018-19 campaign and doesn’t look like he missed a beat.

Moving on to this season, the 34-year-old was putting up vintage Weber numbers on pace to eclipse his highest goal and overall point totals since putting on the Montreal Canadiens uniform. What made things all the more interesting, or peculiar depending on your opinion of it all, was the story of another lower-body injury.

Initial reports saw Weber out long-term, which was sadly a monarch of the team’s season. Nick Kypreos shared information that the Man Mountain’s career was in jeopardy as the injury was on the same foot he had work done on previously. However, the Habs came out with an announcement that Weber would be out 4-6 weeks, possibly ending his season.

And here is where the Masterton kicks in. Weber only missed five games, quickly rejoining the team. His play wasn’t as flashy as it was before, but seeing him back on the ice after the multiple injury reports were something to behold. At the same time, it wasn’t surprising for those who have followed the career of Shea Weber.

There’s a reason why every team in the league would take Weber on their team in a heartbeat. He’s a born leader and a player who leaves everything on the ice, whether it’s a regular-season or playoff game. That’s what is going to make this play-in round so engaging for Habs fans.

It’s been a while since they’ve been able to see Weber in a high-pressure situation. The last time would be that first playoff run against the New York Rangers or even his play for Team Canada in the World Cup of Hockey.

This series against the Pittsburgh Penguins will give him that opportunity to show off that perseverance and dedication to the sport.

There are other names out there who have been nominated with their own stories as well.

In fact, former Montreal Canadiens prospect Jared Tinordi got a nomination from the Nashville Predators.

But even if Weber doesn’t win, it’s still a nod to his work ethic from this season.