Auston Matthews, Jaccob Slavin and Jared Spurgeon named NHL’s Lady Byng trophy finalists

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Jaccob Slavin and Minnesota Wild defenceman Jared Spurgeon have been named the nominees for the NHL’s Lady Byng trophy.

The award is annually handed out to “the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

Matthews scored the most goals in the league with 41 this season, 12 game-winning goals and 222 shots on net this year. He ranked fifth among forwards with 21:33 TOI/gm. Matthews also ranked ninth among all skaters with 47 takeaways, and received only 10 penalty minutes all season.

Slavin averaged the most ice time on the Hurricanes (22:59) club that allowed the fourth-fewest goals against per game (2.39). All year, he only took one penalty, a delay of game call for flipping the puck over the glass.

Spurgeon, meanwhile, led Wild defenceman with 25 points this year topping all players on the team with 102 shot blocks averaging the fourth most time on ice (22:05). This year, he was assessed only three minor penalties.

The award was voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association with the top-three vote-getters designated as finalists.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.