NEW YORK (May 2, 2025) – Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar and Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point are the three finalists for the 2024‑25 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability,” the National Hockey League announced today.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Lady Byng Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.

Following are the finalists, in alphabetical order:

Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights

Eichel produced the most prolific season of his 10-year career, establishing a franchise record and ranking eighth in the entire League with 28-66—94 in 77 appearances to power the Golden Knights (50-22-10, 110 points) to their fourth division title in eight NHL seasons. The No. 2 overall pick from the 2015 NHL Draft – who registered his 600th career point in his 607th game (March 22 vs. DET) – also placed among the League leaders in power-play assists (t-3rd; 29), multi-point performances (5th; 30), assists (6th; 66), power-play points (t-7th; 34), plus/minus (t-10th; 32), even-strength assists (t-15th; 36) and even-strength points (17th; 58). He did so while taking just four minor penalties for a total of eight penalty minutes, tied for the second-fewest among the NHL’s top 50 scorers. The 28-year-old Eichel, a first-time NHL Awards finalist, is seeking to become the second Vegas player to win the Lady Byng Trophy after William Karlsson captured the award during the franchise’s inaugural season (2017-18).

Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings

Kopitar, in his 19th NHL campaign and ninth as the Kings’ captain, placed second on the team with 21-46—67 in 81 contests to help Los Angeles (48-25-9, 105 points) match franchise records for wins and points in a season. Kopitar – who finished the campaign in 28th place in NHL history for career assists (838) and in 40th place for career points (1,278) – also ranked among the 2024-25 League leaders (using respective minimums) in percentage of team face-offs taken (5th; 33.5%), shooting percentage (6th; 21.4%) and face-off winning percentage (10th; 57.2%). He logged 1,535:25 of time on ice (an average of 18:57 per game) while recording only four penalty minutes, the fewest among the 527 NHL skaters who made at least 55 appearances during the season. The 37-year-old Kopitar, who previously received the award in 2015-16 and 2022-23, is looking to become the third player this century with at least three Lady Byng Trophy wins. The others: Pavel Datsyuk (4x) and Martin St. Louis (3x).

Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

Point reached the 40-goal and 80-point milestones for the third consecutive season, compiling 42-40—82 in 77 games to propel the Lightning (47-27-8, 102 points) to their eighth straight playoff appearance. He topped the NHL (minimum: 1 SOG/GP) by scoring on a career-best 22.2 percent of his shots on goal, also finishing among the League leaders in high-danger goals (1st; 28), power-play goals (t-2nd; 16), goals (6th; 42), multi-goal games (t-13th; 6), power-play points (t-13th; 31), game-winning goals (t-15th; 7) and points (20th; 82). The nine-year veteran was assessed one major and one minor penalty for a total of seven penalty minutes, the fewest among the League’s top 50 scorers and second only to Kopitar among the NHL’s top 200 point-producers. The 29-year-old Point, who ranked third in voting in 2022-23, is vying to join Martin St. Louis (3x, most recently 2012-13) and Brad Richards (2003-04) as the third Lightning player to win the Lady Byng Trophy.

History

Lady Byng, wife of Canada’s Governor General at the time, presented the Lady Byng Trophy during the 1924-25 season. After Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won the award seven times in eight seasons, he was given the trophy to keep and Lady Byng donated another trophy in 1936. After Lady Byng’s death in 1949, the NHL presented a new trophy, changing the name to the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

Announcement Schedule

The series of NHL Trophy finalist announcements continues Monday, May 5, when the three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy will be unveiled.