36-year-old Claude Giroux has arguably been his team's most valuable player as well this season.

The list of nominees for the 2024 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy has been announced. The award goes annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game each year. 

In actual practice, the award generally goes to an older player who's been in the league for a long time or a player who has overcome a bad injury, illness, or adversity in their life.

36-year-old Claude Giroux, who's probably also been his team's most valuable player this season, got the nomination for the Sens. Giroux has almost been like a player/coach, working with teammates at practice, and consistently playing the game the right way. That hasn't stopped him from posting 60 points in 75 games and often stepping up in the biggest moments.

He's also got the perseverance part down pat, because the past two seasons can't have been easy.

Even though signing in Ottawa was a great fit for his family, the seven-time all-star had no shortage of potential free agent destinations in 2022. Giroux probably thought he was signing with an up and coming young team that was ready for the playoffs. He couldn't have dreamed the past two seasons would be this bad. No one could. 

Even his long time team, the Philadelphia Flyers, have managed to sort themselves out before the Senators. The Flyers are currently clinging to a one point lead in what should be a wild playoff race for the final two playoff spots in the east. 

Giroux has 1061 points in 1175 games and, by the time he's done, he'll be a good bet for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHbUzbRFFYs[/embed]

Ottawa Senators have won the Masterton Trophy twice in the past seven years. Here's the list of recent winners.

2023: Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins

2022: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

2021: Oskar Lindblom, Philadelphia Flyers

2020: Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators

2019: Robin Lehner, New York Islanders

2018: Brian Boyle, New Jersey Devils

2017: Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators