Q&A: Lazar reflects on journey to Masterton nomination

Curtis Lazar was out for a hike with spotty cell service when he received a text from Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill earlier this week.
"He says, 'Curtis, give me a call when you get a chance,'" Lazar said. "When you're at home and your GM texts you like that, it's usually not good news. I didn't know if our negotiations we're going to be canned or if I was going to be traded or what, but I was very anxious to get off that mountain, safe to say."
His worries were alleviated soon after. Botterill was calling to inform Lazar he had been selected as Buffalo's 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."

The nomination recognizes Lazar's long journey from first-round draft pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2013, to becoming a full-time NHL player at 19, to spending almost the entirety of the 2018-19 season playing for Calgary's AHL affiliate in Stockton.
It culminated with the forward signing a one-year deal with the Sabres last summer and - after beginning the season in Rochester - eventually carving out a blue-collar role encompassing everything from penalty kill duties to crunch-time faceoffs.
"Obviously, it wasn't something I was expecting at all," Lazar said. "I'm very proud of the honor. Knowing everything I've gone through, to get recognition for that, it's pretty cool."
Sabres.com caught up with Lazar to discuss the nomination and look back on his first season in Buffalo.
Looking at the description of the award, you see words like perseverance and dedication. When you hear those terms in relation to your own career, what comes to mind?
A lot of ups and downs. I feel like there were a lot of times when a lot of people wrote me off, said I'd never play in the NHL, that I hit my peak at junior and everything like that. The one person who never quit was myself. I always knew that I was capable of playing and contributing at the NHL level. Yeah, my career path was a little different than I anticipated when I got drafted. But I couldn't be happier with how things have worked out.
Everything happens for a reason. I feel like I gained a lot of experience over the years during my dark times in Ottawa and going to Calgary. But this past year, seeing it go full circle and having success in Buffalo, it feels good. And that's something that I want to hopefully continue for a long time to come in a Sabres uniform.

Through the down times, where did that belief come from?
It's a matter of just relying on your supporters. Again, my family is a big part of it. My fiancée has been big in the last few years. And just, again, knowing that everybody's path is different. Going to the American League for an entire season [in 2018-19] was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. It allowed me to just enjoy the game again and find that confidence that every player needs to be successful and for every person to have in life. It's very vital to just your overall wellbeing.
From there, I mean, coming into camp in Buffalo I saw the opportunity and I just kind of hit the ground running. With support from my teammates in Buffalo and down in Rochester and the coaching staff with Ralph and Chris Taylor, having that trust just solidified my feelings and allowed me to keep going. I think it's pretty cool and unique, the role I carved out. The faceoff guy, the penalty kill guy, and just that kind of heart-and-soul player. That's my identity and what I want to be known for, so hopefully it can continue.
You started the season in Rochester after a strong camp and then went back and forth for the first part of the season. Did Sabres management give you confidence during that time that you were on the right track?
Yeah. I had a very strong training camp and I really thought that I should make the team out of camp. But, again, there were external factors that were out of my control and nothing I could do. But going down to Rochester to start probably allowed me to ease my way and find my game again. I was playing primarily right wing to start the year and I made my adjustment back to my natural position of center, and that also kind of gave me a boost.
Then when you get called upon at the odd time of year, you're almost just a place holder. But when I went in there and really started realizing I can help this team win and I have a role, then it makes things a lot easier. My past experience and everything just kind of came full circle.
When do you remember your role taking shape - the physical, defensive, faceoff presence you ended up becoming?
I remember, I guess it was late November and Chris Taylor sat down with me and asked if I wanted to play center or the wing. I said, 'Center is where you're going to get the most out of me.' A couple nights later, I got called up to play L.A. and the next thing you know, Ralph's got me going toe-to-toe with Anze Kopitar for about 18 minutes that night. I held my own. And from there on, just that competitiveness in the faceoff circle, knowing it was an area I could really carve out and help our team.
It fueled my fire. I just wanted to work on every detail to first off stay in the NHL, but then also contribute and help this team take the next step. I'm excited about the future of the Sabres knowing that Ralph has started to instill that culture and that change, that winning mentality that I want to be around and be a part of. Hopefully my role continues to grow, but I'm very happy knowing that those dirty jobs, the ones that don't get all the credibility, that's just my cup of tea. That's what I like to do. I couldn't be happier.

Did you feel appreciation from teammates? I remember going in the room after games and guys bringing you up unprompted.
Absolutely. That feeling, too, I don't even know what to say about it because in six years of pro hockey to have that happen, just to be myself in the dressing room, be accepted by the guys and be a well-liked guy, it's awesome. I love coming to the rink every day and just trying to better ourselves. And like I said, those are the jobs, they're not always pretty. They're not always fun to do, blocking the one-timer on the penalty kill or having to fight for a faceoff. But in the end, that's what helps you take the next step. A few of the guys - like Jack telling Ralph he wants me out there for the faceoffs in overtime or like you said, hearing guys bring me up after the game - it means a lot. That's why I'm hoping we can get a deal done and I can be a Sabre for years to come.
What's next to prove?
I mean, just keep going. I'm 25 years old. I'm just entering my prime. I feel like last year was that coming out party where I've had that roller coaster ride, a lot of ups and downs, and people kind of say I've resurrected my career. Well, I'm not going to stop now or be content with the season I had. I want to continue to grow. I want to be an answer on the depth of this team and we'll see where that takes me. I've got a lot of time to prepare for next season, whenever that may be. But I'm taking the summer to continue to improve. Watching hockey on TV when it comes back is going to be a tough pill to swallow knowing we're at home. But, again, that's just fuel to add to the fire in preparations for next season.