Kyle Connor, Jared Spurgeon and Jaccob Slavin named 2022 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy finalists

The NHL has announced the finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association for the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

Last year’s winner, Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes, is again a finalist along with Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets and Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild.

This is the first time Connor has received a Byng vote in his career. He set career highs in goals with 47 and points with 93 this season and was only tagged with four penalty minutes across 79 games.

Spurgeon was the runner-up in Byng voting to Slavin last year after recording just six penalty minutes while playing 22:05 per night on Minnesota’s blueline. This season, Spurgeon had 10 penalty minutes over 65 games while logging an average of 21:09 per night.

Slavin had the same amount of penalty minutes as Spurgeon this season, but he played more games at 79 and logged more minutes at 23:32 per night. Last season when Slavin won his first Byng, he had just two penalty minutes over 52 games.

If Slavin is awarded the Lady Byng, he would become the first defenseman since Red Kelly to win in back-to-back years. Kelly did so in 1952-53 and 1953-54 while playing for the Detroit Red Wings.

The winners of the NHL Awards will be announced during the conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final.