2014 Awards Preview – Lady Byng Trophy
Photo Source: HHOF.com (Hockey Hall Of Fame)
SenShot opens up its 2014 preview of the NHL Awards with one of the ones that is often viewed as the one nobody really wants to win.
In a game where aggressiveness, brawn and toughness is seen as a badge of honor, the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner is sometimes seen as being a weak player who doesn’t get involved physically.
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is 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 three nominees for this award this year see a first time nominee who had an amazing statistical season, a second time nominee who has a great track record, and a guy who is perennially up for this award 8 times and has won it three of the past 4 years.
And the finalists are:
Apr 1, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau (12) brings the puck down ice during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center at San Jose. San Jose won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
Marleau finished third in the balloting for this award back in 2006. He was assessed 18 penalty minutes while amassing 70 points. He was also credited with 85 hits and 50 takeaways. Among his penalties, 4 were tripping and 2 were hooking. He did not have a single roughing or slashing infraction and had a lone high-sticking call.
Ryan O’Reilly, ColoradoAvalanche
For a player to play 80 games and get whistled for 1 lone penalty is nothing short of amazing, and has only been done once before. The fact that his penalty was for the egregious infraction of playing with a broken stick is equally incredible.
O’Reilly wasn’t exactly the most physical force, credited with just 25 hits, but had 83 takeaways, and in getting those it is astounding he didn’t get called at least a couple of times for a hook or trip.
O’Reilly led the club with 28 goals and was third on the Avs with 64 points.
Jun 7, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis (26) skates with the puck against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period during game two of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay/New York Rangers
St. Louis won the Lady Byng in 3 of the past 4 seasons and has been nominated 8 of the last 10 years. Often perceived to have a large chip on his shoulder when dealing with the media, it is pretty amazing and is a testament to his style of play that he constantly gets the nod for this award.
St. Louis was a top 20 scorer splitting his season between Tampa and New York, and spent just 10 minutes in the sin bin. His penalties were holding (2), hooking (2) and interference.
AND THE WINNER IS…
O’Reilly. The fact that he was sent off just once in 80 games is a once in a generation stat (Butch Goring in 1977-78 is the only other) and he also puts up points and plays a solid defensive game.
St. Louis is hurt a little by the way he begged out of Tampa and held the Lightning somewhat hostage in forcing a deal to New York.