Lazar receives nomination for Masterton Trophy

Curtis Lazar has been selected as the Buffalo Sabres' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."
Lazar, 25, saw an opportunity to "blossom" upon joining the Sabres as an unrestricted free agent last July. The 2013 first-round pick had spent the 2018-19 campaign playing almost entirely for Calgary's AHL affiliate Stockton, an assignment he willfully accepted after seeing limited production during his first four NHL seasons.

Lazar was one of the last players sent to Rochester at the end of Buffalo's camp last fall. He scored nine points (4+5) in his first 11 games with the Amerks, then buried a breakaway goal in his Sabres debut upon being recalled in November.

After shuffling back-and-forth between Buffalo and Rochester, Lazar carved out a full-time role with the Sabres during the second half of the season. He embraced a role as a physical checking presence and was relied upon to win opening draws at the start of overtime.
Lazar finished the season with 10 points (5+5) in 38 games with Buffalo, the highest points- and goals-per-game outputs of his career. His average ice time of 11:50 was his highest mark since 2015-16, while his 51.2 faceoff percentage was a career high.
"I've been that player before," Lazar said in January. "I've done it at every level except the NHL. Again, with me, I've always established that defensive game first to build that trust and get that ice time and then build on the offense. It's nice to put in there and be relied upon in all situations."
Lazar will look to become the third member of the Sabres to win the Masterton Trophy, which is selected in a poll taken by members of the Pro Hockey Writers Association. He would join Don Luce (1975) and Pat LaFontaine (1995).