Forwards Aleksander Barkov, Anze Kopitar and Loui Eriksson have been named the finalists for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
The award, which goes “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability,” was voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, and the winner will be announced at the NHL Awards on June 22.
Barkov set career highs in goals (28) and assists (31) while leading the Florida Panthers to a franchise-best 103 points this season. The 20-year-old played in 66 games and received just eight minutes in penalties.
Eriksson finished with 12 penalty minutes while playing in all 82 games for the Boston Bruins. He scored 30 goals and added 33 assists and could become the first Bruin to win the Lady Byng since Rick Middleton in 1982.
Kopitar led the Los Angeles Kings in scoring for the ninth consecutive season, as the team set a franchise record for wins (48). He finished third in Lady Byng voting last year, and would be the first King to win the award since Wayne Gretzky took it home in 1994. The Slovenian scored 25 goals and 74 points in 81 games while finishing the year with just 16 penalty minutes. He is also a finalist for the Selke Trophy.
Last year’s Lady Byng winner was then-Calgary Flames forward Jiri Hudler
