Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri did it, and now it’s Jordan Eberle’s turn.
Gretzky and Kurri won the Lady Byng trophy as members of the Edmonton Oilers. Eberle will attempt to do the same as one of the three finalists for the award given to ‘the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.’
Brian Campbell of the Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders’ Matt Moulson are also nominated for the award.
It was the 1979-80 season when Gretzky won the accolade. He tied Marcel Dionne in scoring with 137 points (Dionne won the Art Ross because he scored more goals) and had just 21 penalty minutes.
Kurri’s year was 1984-85 when he piled up 135 points and 30 penalty minutes.
No doubt that Eberle might be envious of those point totals but Gretzky and Kurri might be envious of the fact Eberle spent only 10 minutes in the sin bin this season.
Those five minor infractions were accumulated in 1,372:35 seconds of playing time. Those meager penalty box visits go with 34 goals, 42 assists and 76 points. The second year winger finished 16th in scoring after a 33-point increase from his rookie campaign.
I will say this: Eberle will be in tough against the other two finalists.
Campbell led the entire NHL in total ice time (2,205:31), yet was whistled for just six penalty minutes. That’s unbelievable. He’s either the softest defenceman in the league or brilliant at using his body and stick to his advantage. He also ranked second among defensemen in scoring with 53 points.
Then there’s Matt Moulson, who posted career highs in goals (36), assists (33), and points (69) en route to his first nomination for a NHL trophy. He played all 82 games for the third time in as many seasons with the Islanders and was assessed just six penalty minutes, which ties him with Campbell for fewest among the league’s top-75 scorers.
Who knew winning the Lady Byng could prove to be so difficult? The interference penalty Eberle took at 11:52 of the first period against Vancouver in the final game of the season could be a difference maker. His PIM’s total only went up two but it’s just the optics of being in single digits — like Moulson and Campbell. I would hope one minor doesn’t make a major difference but in such a tight race it’s hard to determine what exactly could raise one of the finalists above the others.
This award could go to any of the three that’s but here’s why I think Eberle will be chosen as the winner by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
When you look at points it’s clear cut that Eberle was the leader. He had seven more than Moulson and 23 more than Campbell.
Eberle also did more with less. Moulson played on a line with John Tavares. Moulson is a good player in his own right but Tavares had 81 points. In Jordan’s case the closest player to him in scoring on the Oilers was Taylor Hall at 53. That’s why I think Eberle’s point totals, while marginally more than Moulson’s, are considerably more impressive.
In Campbell’s case, he did finish as the second-highest scoring defenceman in the league, but over half his points (30 of 53) came on the power play. By comparison Eberle tallied 20 of his 76 points with the man advantage.
One thing that stands out for me is that Campbell doesn’t have enough goals. He has more penalty minutes (six) than he does goals (four). His case might have been better served if the goals-assists differential wasn’t so one sided.
Lastly let’s look at ice time. Eberle has the most points but fewest minutes played. He averaged 17:38 per game, Moulson 19:18 and Campbell 26:53.
We’ll find out who the winner is June 20 in Las Vegas. I wish them all luck and may the best man win the Lady Byng.
