Matthews, Pettersson, Slavin named Lady Byng Trophy Finalists

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin are the three finalists for the 2023-24 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

The 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 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.

Matthews finished the regular season with 69 goals and 107 points, the most goals since 1995-96 and the most points by a Maple Leafs player since 1993-94. Matthews helped lead Toronto to its eighth straight playoff berth since being selected No.1 overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Matthews is a Lady Byng Trophy finalist for the third time, after finishing second in voting in 2019-20 and third in 2020-21. The 26-year-old appeared in 81 out of 82 games and had 20 penalty minutes – the fewest among the League’s top 15 scorers.

Pettersson tallied a third straight 30-goal campaign and helped lead the Canucks to the Pacific Division with a record of 50-23-9. He placed third on Vancouver in goals, assists and points, registering 34 goals and 55 assists for 89 points. Pettersson became the first player in NHL history to score the decisive goal in four straight road games. He appeared in all 82 games this season and was assessed 12 penalty minutes. Pettersson is the first Lady Byng Trophy finalist in Canucks history

Slavin played a pivotal role on a Hurricanes team that allowed the fourth fewest goals in the NHL. Slavin logged the third-most minutes with 1,695:29 and a third-highest plus/minus of +21. Slavin became the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and points, respectively, by a defenseman with 272 points. Slavin received eight total penalty minutes – the fewest among the 81 skaters who played at least 1,600 minutes in 2023-24.