Robin Lehner's Masterton consideration more important than Vezina nod

Robin Lehner has already won.

The New York Islanders netminder was given the chance to reflect on his incredible comeback season before the NHL Awards on Wednesday night in Las Vegas, and said “without hesitation” that recognition for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy means more to him than potentially winning the Vezina Trophy, and being named the NHL’s top goaltender.

“Both are fun, but the Masterton means a lot more to me and my wife and my kids,” Lehner said, via TSN’s Frank Seravalli. “Just being nominated for that award is huge for me and my family. I think it’s huge for everyone that’s been supporting me, too.”

The Masterton is awarded the the player that best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. After confronting his issues with substance abuse and receiving proper diagnosis for his mental health issues — and responding with the best season of his career — Lehner is the perfect representation of what the award stands for.

For that reason, Lehner is the overwhelming favourite to win it over fellow nominees Joe Thornton and Nick Foligno, while he’s not expected to be presented with his first Vezina Trophy. Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning is considered the front runner over Lehner and the Dallas Stars’ Ben Bishop.

But Lehner might just be a handful of starts short of being named the best player at his position in 2018-19 after combining with Thomas Greiss to secure the William M. Jennings Trophy, presented to the team that allows the fewest goals in the regular season. He finished with 25-13-5 record from the Islanders’ platoon, with a .930 save percentage and six shutouts.

Islanders coach Barry Trotz, who was part of the braintrust that continued to show faith in Lehner after he came forward about his personal struggles, helped put the goaltender’s accomplishment in focus.

“All of the stuff we did on the ice, that’s entertainment. That’s not real life. I’m so proud of Robin. The stuff I’m really proud about is he was able to stay on track in his own personal life, fighting his own demons,” the coach said.

“He’s not the only guy in the league (with those struggles). Sometimes guys are afraid to speak out. To me, it showed strength in what he did. That strength he showed coming out and declaring it when he did, he’s determined to make this something that other players can benefit from and learn from, and also give him strength to beat his own demons.”

Lehner earned just $1.5 million with the Islanders this past season, and will reach unrestricted free agency for a second straight summer should he and the Islanders not come to terms on a new deal before July 1. Though it’s expected that the two sides will work out an agreement.

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