San Jose Sharks
Preview/Lines #80: Burns Named Sharks’ Masterton Nominee
The San Jose chapter of the PHWA has selected Brent Burns as our 2022 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee.
The Masterton Trophy is awarded to the player who, according to the NHL, “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. It is named after Bill Masterton, the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game.”
Each PHWA chapter in every NHL city nominates a candidate – here’s all 32. The winner of the Masterton Trophy, as voted on by the PHWA, will be announced between Games 3 & 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
This is the unedited text of what I wrote in support of Brent Burns:
In every way, Brent Burns exemplifies the “perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey” that represents the Masterton Trophy.
Burns, in his age-36 season, is on pace this season to play over 2,120 minutes, which would put him in the top-five of most-played defensemen for 36-plus blueliners since the NHL started officially tracking ice time in 1998-99.
The top-five, by the way, consists of Ray Bourque (twice), Nicklas Lidstrom, Al MacInnis, and Scott Niedermayer. So that’s hallowed company Burns is set to join.
Burns’s commitment to being in the best possible shape is legendary, and one of reasons why former Sharks GM Doug Wilson was comfortable giving the then 31-year-old Burns an eight-year maximum contract in Nov. 2016.
Since then, Brent Burns has won the 2017 Norris Trophy, was a finalist for the 2019 Norris, and has led the Sharks in ice time in every season, including this year, of his maximum deal.
“The one thing I love about Burns is that he comes to the rink every day, ready to attack the day, and he approaches games like that, practices like that, workouts like that. It’s a great example for young guys that are coming into the league. Just a guy that loves the game,” Sharks head coach and long-time NHL’er Bob Boughner said. “You talk about dedication. That’s the one word that stands out for me. He dedicates himself on and off the ice to be a good pro.
“He’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve ever dealt with.”
San Jose Sharks (32-35-12)
Projected lines for the #SJSharks in their last home game of the season.
Gajovich in for Weatherby
Big Kahk in net. pic.twitter.com/7G58WMbV8y— The Content Boyz (@LockedOnSharks) April 26, 2022
No surprise, Boughner says Karlsson’s season is likely over, noting he’s not even skating yet
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 26, 2022
John Leonard likely done for the season as well. Got to be frustrating for a young guy who has a lot to prove, and wants to prove it. Boughner says Leonard tried to take the ice yday in a tracksuit: "It's still not to the point where he could put a ton of pressure on that leg."
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 26, 2022
Anaheim Ducks (30-36-14)
The Ducks begin life without Ryan Getzlaf, who played his last NHL game on Sunday. The long-time San Jose Sharks rival ends his NHL career, all with the Ducks, with 1,019 points and a 2007 Stanley Cup ring.
Getzlaf did not travel with the team to San Jose.
It's Shark Night in SJ! https://t.co/fyFBt295PE
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) April 26, 2022
Where to Watch
Puck drop between the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks is at 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.
