Jose Theodore for Masterton

by Marshall Pirate on Feb 3, 2010 11:42 AM EST

If you're a family person like I am, you know that it must be a difficult time in Jose Theodore's life right now. He's had his issues this year with family and hockey is not just his job, it's his retreat and his therapy. He may not have been 100% there to start the year, but he's stuck with it and now he's the goalie we thought we were getting in the summer of 2008.

Theodore is playing lights out right now, he's stopping shots he shouldn't and he's reminding me of the Theo of 2002, when he not only stole the Montreal Canadiens a playoff berth who were playing without their captain and #1 center Saku Koivu (who won the Masterton himself that season), he stole a playoff round and couple of trophies, too. Unless he wins the next 20 straight games, I think it unlikely he'll take home another Vezina, but I do think he merits consideration for another award.

If there was ever a time to take time off from hockey or to mail it in, it would be after what Theo went through. Theo had enough pride and desire to come and play, to honor his contract, and to give the team all he could, and that's a heck of a lot right now.

I can't think of anyone better for the Capitals to nominate for the yearly award for perseverance and dedication to hockey.

(From NHL.com: The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is an annual award under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and is given to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected in a poll of all chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season.

A grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minn., in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner.

The trophy was presented by the NHL Writers' Association in 1968 to commemorate the late William Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars, who exhibited, to a high degree, the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Masterton died on Jan. 15, 1968, after an injury sustained during a hockey game.)

If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.

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Yes. He def deserves it. I didn’t think he could come back and do this good after what happened this summer. then again, hockey might be his escape from life

by hockeyman33 on Feb 3, 2010 11:56 AM EST reply actions

He’s the best choice for the team right now.

I could also see B. Gordon, who’s battled back problems all season and has returned to the lineup and is chipping in a few goals as well as performing his typical roles.

by Stephen Pepper on Feb 3, 2010 12:05 PM EST reply actions

Yea but...

Theo’s kid :(, nothin can really compete with that, hell I’m sure Theo would take his kid back anyday of the week for Gordo’s back problems

by washfan29 on Feb 3, 2010 12:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Sure Gordo would, too.

My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.

by jordanDC on Feb 3, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

Theo’s definitely the best choice on the team, imo.

by caps123 on Feb 3, 2010 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

I could see an argument for Brendan Morrison, but Theo does have the stronger case.

"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."

by CapitalCentre on Feb 3, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Perfect choice… he might even win it. No Cap has won it before.

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 3, 2010 2:23 PM EST reply actions

Potsy would have if he wasn’t against a guy who took a skate blade to his throat and that other guy.

Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.

Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.

Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.

by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

I think Theodore would have to be the only choice from the Caps, really.

No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.

by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2010 3:30 PM EST reply actions

it’s a good choice. If he does win, I can’t see him accepting the award without choking up. I know I would, just standing in front of the TV.
Let’s hope he keeps this up through May and June. Keep it up Theo.

by benjik on Feb 3, 2010 6:02 PM EST reply actions

If he wins it, I’m going to get choked up watching his acceptance.

Hell I’m getting upset now.

by iwearstripes on Feb 4, 2010 1:11 AM EST up reply actions

He’s gotta be the front-runner for the Caps nomination, but I don’t think he’ll win. I don’t know who might get it, but I think that it normally goes to guys that fight through serious injury.

Sew up your heart, grow a pair, and watch hockey.

by Rob Parker on Feb 3, 2010 7:41 PM EST reply actions

What he went through is a much much bigger deal than injury though. How does the award work? Is it one candidate per team?

by caps123 on Feb 3, 2010 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

One player per team is nominated by the sportswriters, though not every team must have a nominee. The nominees get voted on later.

Q: Your rival, Sidney Crosby: dislike him?
Ovechkin: "I love him."
Q: You send him cards on his birthday?
Ovechkin: "I send him cards every day."

by Marshall Pirate on Feb 3, 2010 9:34 PM EST up reply actions

I’ll take a look at the nominees later in the year when they come out before I’ll make a prediction, but I’d think Theodore would have as good a shot as anyone assuming there are no cancer survivors.

Q: Your rival, Sidney Crosby: dislike him?
Ovechkin: "I love him."
Q: You send him cards on his birthday?
Ovechkin: "I send him cards every day."

by Marshall Pirate on Feb 3, 2010 9:35 PM EST up reply actions

I was wondering if Giguere was nominated after his son’s birth (with a congenital deformity).

by miseenjeu on Feb 3, 2010 10:29 PM EST reply actions

I can’t help but find this a little disturbing. The whole “my life experience was worse than yours”, I deserve this award because my son died/I survived cancer, etc… It seems a little out of line to talk about “deserving” an award because his son died.

by benjik on Feb 4, 2010 2:24 AM EST reply actions

It’s not because it happened, it’s because he’s playing lights out anyway, if that makes sense?

No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.

by gotsparkly on Feb 4, 2010 4:43 AM EST up reply actions

Back around Christmas, I speculated that some of Theo’s struggles at the time was due to some of the personal issues he was dealing with then being a distraction. Remember, he also was allowed to go home during a road trip for that reason. I also wondered if management would talk to him about the possibility of seeking some help.

I was chided for such suggestions and reminded that we can’t know what is going on in his head.

by Gin and Tonic on Feb 4, 2010 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

A While Back Ago

I would have agreed with your assessment. The only glitch would have been his consistent inconsistency last season, too.

Q: Your rival, Sidney Crosby: dislike him?
Ovechkin: "I love him."
Q: You send him cards on his birthday?
Ovechkin: "I send him cards every day."

by Marshall Pirate on Feb 4, 2010 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

I think my point was that he’s more focused on what’s happening on the ice and so should we.

Therefore, my nomination would go to Laing. I think he has sacrificed his body for the game, and done damage to it as a result of it, more than anyone else on the team.

by Gin and Tonic on Feb 4, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

Lainger

I gave him serious consideration. If he were to be nominated, it would be his second nomination in three years.

Q: Your rival, Sidney Crosby: dislike him?
Ovechkin: "I love him."
Q: You send him cards on his birthday?
Ovechkin: "I send him cards every day."

by Marshall Pirate on Feb 4, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

Would we really want him nominated though? He deserves it, but his nomination would probably draw a lot of attention to parts of his life that he’d rather keep private.

by Brainumbc on Feb 4, 2010 8:51 AM EST reply actions

That’s something that has occurred to me. It’s a good point. I guess my point would remain that I think he deserves the nomination, it’s another story altogether as to whether or not he wants to be nominated. Only he can decide that.

Q: Your rival, Sidney Crosby: dislike him?
Ovechkin: "I love him."
Q: You send him cards on his birthday?
Ovechkin: "I send him cards every day."

by Marshall Pirate on Feb 4, 2010 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

I’d nominate Matt Bradley… for being the player this year who has probably lost the most blood in the NHL

by Brainumbc on Feb 4, 2010 8:52 AM EST reply actions

I’m sure the death of his son is not the only family issue he’s dealt with over the years. His father and half brother had plead guilty of loan sharking in 2004.

I think his father in law was convicted of a sex crime, as well.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Feb 9, 2010 9:15 PM EST reply actions

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