The nominee is chosen by the local members of the Profession Hockey Writers Association
Zack Smith has been chosen as the Ottawa Senators' nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, given to the player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey." The local members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association decide on the nominee, meaning one players from each of the NHL's 30 teams is on the initial list. Voters decide the winners from that list.
A dislocated wrist injury limited Smith to 37 games, and just three points last season.