Last Word On Sports is doing our annual awards nominations and predictions. We’ll be giving you our nominations and predictions for the Selke Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Calder Trophy, Norris Trophy, Jack Adams Trophy, and the Hart Trophy.
The Lady Byng trophy is an often degraded or disrespected trophy when viewed by hockey fans. Despite hockey fans holding high plateaus about sportsmanship, class and respect for the NHL game, they don’t ever really seem to give much respect to the players who win the trophy. When someone talks about why Pavel Datsyuk is a great player, they rarely mention the fact he’s a four-time Lady Byng trophy winner. Martin St. Louis is respected for his skill on the ice but nobody calls him, “Former three-time Lady Byng trophy winner” Marty St. Louis. Any hardware, from the Frank Selke trophy to the William Jennings trophy gets more respect than the Lady Byng.
It’s disappointing that’s the case. The award is presented to the player who exhibits the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a combined high standard of playing ability. It’s tough to play the NHL game in any era and not lose your cool or take a few too many bad penalties. Even harder when you’re driven to win and you are confronted by the easy way out every 10 seconds. Lady Byng winners are not wimps or softies, they are dedicated to the game more than anyone on the ice. Being a gentleman means staying out of the penalty box, and you can’t help your team in it.
The award is also one of the few in North American sports named after a woman. It’s named after Marie Evelyn Moreton, the wife of Julian Byng, former Governor General of Canada and World War II Field Marshall. Morton (“Lady Byng”) was an avid hockey fan in the 1920s and personally awarded it to the first recipient, Frank Nighbor, in Rideau Hall. It shouldn’t be known as a trophy for the soft but a hockey fan’s trophy, given to a skater who plays the game right.
Honourable Mention
Jason Pominville
Minnesota Wild
It has been one rollercoaster ride of a season for Jason Pominville. Looking to be playing the full season, the Repentigny, Quebec native with dual citizenship has only saw himself in the box four times the whole year while still putting up 53 points. It’s hard to hold a guy back just for two high sticking calls, a trip and a hook and it’s pretty impressive he’s played every game and stayed classy. Pominville just misses the mark for me due to the strength of the top three candidates, but could definitely find himself nominated.
The Lady Byng Trophy Candidates
Anze Kopitar
Los Angeles Kings
At 6’3”, 225lbs, you would expect Kopitar to find himself in some physical spots. The Los Angeles Kings centerman doesn’t shy from having to get into the corners or fight his way to a puck, but he does it with clean hands. Kopitar has been one of the most consistent scorers in the NHL since his first season in 2006-2007 and this year has 78 games played and only 10 penalty minutes to show for it. While the Kings have struggled to make the playoffs this season, Kopitar has yet to lose his cool. It could be a strong year for him, as he looks to be a favourite for the Frank Selke trophy as well as best defensive forward. With two way play that keeps the Kings from being on the penalty kill, Kopitar might plays with a dark visor but he’s certainly a classy forward.
Matt Moulson
Buffalo Sabres
Moulson has always been a pretty classy player. One would think his frustrations would be a bit higher this season after tasting some post-season play last season with the Minnesota Wild. Moulson had four penalty minutes in 10 games with the Wild in the spring. This season with the Sabres being at the bottom of the standings, Moulson has appeared in 76 games. Incredibly he has kept his cool on the ice, posting only four penalty minutes total. It’s incredible for him to be posting only two penalties all season long but still scoring 41 points. Moulson might get held back in the voting for being on the Buffalo Sabres, but I feel it should be the opposite. You try playing for the worst team in the league and not want to throw your stick at someone.
Pavel Datsyuk
Detroit Red Wings
Datsyuk dominated the award post-lockout, winning it from 2005-2006 to 2008-2009. This season he currently posts even less penalty minutes than those Lady Byng winning seasons, sitting with eight penalty minutes in 63 games. I said before that the award should be locked upon to a player who plays the game right. Datsyuk is the definition of playing the game right. Datsyuk might miss the bar despite being a point per game player this season because he only played 63 games. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him nominated, nor would I be surprised to see him win.
My Ballot Choices
First Place: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
Second Place: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Third Place: Matt Moulson, Buffalo Sabres
Photo credit:
Matt Moulson by grilled cheese on Flickr
Anze Kopitar by Eric Garcetti on Flickr
Pavel Datsyuk by Ethan Miller on Getty Images
