Laperriere Worthy of Trophy, Staying in Town
(from the Denver Post)
By Terry Frei
The Denver Post
April 5, 2009 - The NHL's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, designed to go to a player exemplifying perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey, over the years has morphed into a comeback player of the year award.
Avalanche coach Tony Granato was the 1997 winner after returning from dangerous brain surgery. That was an exceptional situation and a more-than-justifiable choice.
This year, it's hard to make a case against Nashville winger Steve Sullivan, who returned to the Predators' lineup in mid-January after an absence of nearly two years because of back problems and two surgeries.
Sullivan was tentative in the first few weeks of his return, but he's got his sea legs back, so to speak, and has been on better than a point-per-game pace since mid-February.
His work has been important in the Predators' surge back into the hunt for a playoff berth. They were one point out of the Western Conference's eighth spot heading into the weekend. Now they're now trying to survive without the injured David Legwand (fractured facial bone), Martin Erat (broken fibula) and Jason Arnott (concussion).
All that said, overcoming physical adversity shouldn't be the only issue in the Masterton voting.
Too often, it has been.
This year, the local chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers selected forward Ian Laperriere as the Colorado nominee for the Masterton Trophy. I can't speak for the other Colorado members, but it's safe to say the consensus is that Laperriere displays one of the most under-appreciated qualities in sports.
He is a pro's pro.
Laperriere is 35, he's a leader, he plays hard and with heart every night, and he does tremendous work in the community.
He might not be back with Colorado next season, since his contract is up. As has been much discussed, the Avs have an overabundance of gritty types and not enough skill, and the Avs probably won't buy out Darcy Tucker, who has a year remaining on his deal.
Thinking pragmatically and coldly, allowing Laperriere to walk wouldn't be a ridiculous thing to do. But the intangibles, plus his popularity, should tip the balance for a franchise that needs all the P.R. help it can get at this point.
Terry Frei: 303-954-1895 or tfrei@denverpost.com