Caufield, Kopitar, Sanderson named finalists for 2026 Lady Byng
A trio of players is being recognized for their play on the ice and how they conduct themselves in the heat of battle.
On Thursday, the NHL announced that Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson have been named finalists for the 2026 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
Your Lady Byng Memorial Trophy finalists are... 🏆 #NHLAwards The trophy is presented annually to the player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
The award is given to the player who exemplifies great sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, along with top-tier talent. The trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Kopitar is looking to win the award for the fourth time in his illustrious career, and the second year in a row. The five-time finalist is nominated after the final season of his NHL career. In 67 games, the Slovenian center scored 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points, helping the Kings reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth consecutive campaign. He also took just five minor penalties, posting 10 or fewer penalty minutes for the fourth time in six seasons.
A certified first-ballot Hall of Famer, Kopitar ends his NHL playing career with 452 goals and 864 assists for 1,316 points in 1,521 games, and is the Kings’ all-time leading scorer.
No player has won the Lady Byng in consecutive seasons since Martin St. Louis took home the trophy in 2010 and 2011. Kopitar would join Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Red Kelly and Pavel Datsyuk as the only four-time winners of the Lady Byng.
Caufield made some history of his own this year, becoming the first Habs player to reach 50 goals since Stephane Richer during the 1989-90 season. He ended up second in the NHL with 51 tallies, only trailing Rocket Richard winner Nathan MacKinnon. Caufield also had just 14 penalty minutes, the fewest among players in the top 25 in scoring. The sniper was a key part in Montreal finished third in the Atlantic Division.
Caufield is trying to become just the third Canadien to win the Lady Byng, joining the likes of Toe Blake (1945-46) and Mats Naslund (1987-88).
Sanderson is looking to become the first Senators player to ever win the award. He had another strong season as Ottawa advanced to the postseason for the second year in a row. He delivered 56 points in 67 games during the regular season, narrowly averaging 25 minutes of ice time per game. Even though he ranked ninth in average time on ice, Sanderson finished the season with just four minor penalties.