Jack Campbell of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Milan Lucic of the Calgary Flames, Mike Smith of the Edmonton Oilers, Nick Paul of the Ottawa Senators, Corey Perry of the Montreal Canadiens, Tyler Motte of the Vancouver Canucks and Eric Comrie of the Winnipeg Jets are the North Division's nominees for the 2021 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the Professional Hockey Writers Association announced Monday.
The award is presented annually to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game."
Each PHWA member chapter nominated a player from the club they cover.
Last year's winner was former Senators forward Bobby Ryan, now with the Detroit Red Wings, who returned from the NHL/NHL Players' Assistance program and went public with his alcohol addiction in an effort to help others with similar struggles.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom, who was also a finalist for last year's award, was nominated again this year after putting up 14 points in 49 games this season. The 24-year-old was declared cancer-free in December, one year since he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma.
Motte has been outspoken about his struggles with depression and anxiety, creating his 'Motter’s Mental Health Fund.' Lucic also opened up this season about his mental health and all he dealt with following his father's suicide six years ago.
Campbell, a career backup, has been a success story in Toronto, where he's put up a 17-2-2 record on the season with a .923 save percentage. The 39-year-old Smith has rebounded in his second year in Edmonton, going 20-6-2 with a .924 save percentage. Perry, the longtime star with the Anaheim Ducks, has carved out a niche as a veteran role player with the Canadiens, putting up 21 points in 47 games.