Kopitar, Eichel, Point voted 2025 Lady Byng Trophy finalists

The National Hockey League has announced that Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings, Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning are the 2024-25 finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, presented annually to the NHL’s most sportsmanlike and gentlemanly player.

A two-time recipient of the Lady Byng Trophy, Kopitar was previously presented with the award in the 2015-16 and 2022-23 seasons. The first year, Kopitar finished with 16 penalty minutes in 81 games, while in 2022-23 he registered four penalty minutes in 82 games. This season, the Kings captain has once again kept his penalty total to four minutes, coming in 81 games, while posting 21 goals and 46 assists for 67 points.

Through 77 appearances with the Golden Knights this season, Eichel tallied 28 goals and 66 assists for a team-leading 94 points, while totaling just eight penalty minutes. In all, it marked the third time Eichel has kept his penalty minutes to single digits. In 2022-23, Eichel was whistled for six penalty minutes in 67 games with the Golden Knights, while in 2020-21 as part of the Buffalo Sabres he registered six penalty minutes in 21 games.

For Point, in 77 outings this season the forward notched seven penalty minutes while pacing the Lightning with 42 goals and finishing third in team scoring with 82 points. It marks the second time Point has kept his penalty minutes to single digits. In 2022-23, Point finished with seven penalty minutes and a career-high 95 points coming in 82 games.

Last season, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin was presented with the Lady Byng Trophy after registered eight penalty minutes and 37 points in 81 games while averaging nearly 21 minutes of time on ice per game. It marked the second time Slavin was presented with the award after first winning in 2020-21.