Matthews, Pettersson, Slavin up for Lady Byng Trophy
Toronto Maple Leafs sniper Auston Matthews, Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin are the three finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, the NHL announced Saturday.
The trophy is given to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability," as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Matthews has never won the award, but this marks his third time being a finalist. He paced the league with 69 goals this past season and registered only 20 penalty minutes in 81 games. He's a candidate to be a finalist for the Hart Trophy and the Selke Trophy, too.
Pettersson is a first-time finalist. The slick Swede tallied 89 points in 82 games this season with just 12 penalty minutes. He's the latest member of the Canucks to be up for an award, as Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko, and Rick Tocchet were named finalists for the Norris Trophy, Vezina Trophy, and the Jack Adams Award, respectively.
Slavin won the award in 2021 when he recorded just two penalty minutes in 52 games. This marks the fifth straight season he's finished in the top four in voting. An elite shutdown defenseman, Slavin recorded just eight penalty minutes in 81 games this past season despite routinely being matched up against opposing teams' top lines. He also added 37 points - the second-most of his career.
Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar took home the trophy in 2023.
The 2024 winner is expected to be announced on June 27.