2014 NHL Awards Preview – Bill Masterton Trophy

Feb 25, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Manny Malhotra (22) waits for the face-off against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Manny Malhotra, Carolina Hurricanes

Most thought Malhotra’s career was over after an eye injury forced him into early retirement as a Canuck after playing just 9 games in the 2012-13 season.  Much like Bryan Berard a few years earlier, Malhotra wouldn’t say no and signed an AHL tryout with the Canes organization.  He passed that test and played 69 NHL games with Carolina.

He was the 2nd best faceoff man in the league (among those qualified), at just under 60%.  He was also named an alternate captain in Carolina.