Zack Smith Named Ottawa Senators' Nominee for Masterton Trophy
The nominee is chosen by the local members of the Profession Hockey Writers Association
Zack Smith has been chosen as the Ottawa Senators' nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, given to the player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey." The local members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association decide on the nominee, meaning one players from each of the NHL's 30 teams is on the initial list. Voters decide the winners from that list.
A dislocated wrist injury limited Smith to 37 games, and just three points last season. Inconsistency led to him being a healthy scratch in half of the Sens' six playoff games last spring. He returned this year to set career highs in goals (21) and points (32) with six games remaining this season. With many wondering if Smith had a place in the NHL anymore, he returned this season to prove that he is definitely an NHL-calibre player. The question that remains is if the Sens will be able to afford him, as he becomes a UFA next summer.
