New York Islanders 2016-17 NHL Awards Edition

Masterton Trophy

Finalists: Andrew Ladd, John Tavares, Jean-Francois Berube

Awarded to: the player who exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.

On perseverance alone Andrew Ladd deserves this award. For months he had to live with the fact that he wasn’t living up to the massive $5.5 million seven-year deal he signed as a free-agent in the offseason.

He still didn’t though. But at least he ended the season on a high with 20 goals. Something no-one thought he’d get at the rate he was producing. Even if we were constantly told that he always performs well in the second half of the season. The Isles are paying to play and produce for 82 games. Not 41.

John Tavares gets a nod for this award just for being caught up in this whole mess. Again he’s missed out on playoff hockey, the fifth time in his eight-year NHL career.

It sounds wishy-washy to award something simply based on loyalty, but that’s worth something. Because that might be the only thing holding him here. If it weren’t for his incredible sense of loyalty he might just be gone by next season.

Then there’s the circus that surrounded Jean-Francois Berube. The goalie the Isles claimed off waivers two years ago who played a total of 14 games for the club.

He spent most of his time on the healthy scratch list, clogging up the practice nets, and eating away at Jaroslav Halak’s patience (and likely his puck stopping abilities).

When he was called upon he tried. Bless him, he tried. Too bad he wasn’t a good goalie it turns out, but he tried. And that’s worth something.