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Canadiens Sniper Caufield Finalist For Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
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- Canadiens Sniper Caufield Finalist For Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield may not have won the Maurice Richard Trophy, finishing second overall in goals scored this season, but he will be a finalist for another major accolade.
The 25-year-old American scored 51 goals and 37 assists, a rather impressive feat when we consider he only took a handful of penalties in that stretch. In 81 games, Caufield accumulated just 14 penalty minutes, and will consequently be among the finalists for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy , which is given to "the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing abilities.
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Caufield joins Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar (67 GP, 10 PIM) and Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson (67 GP, 8 PIM) as the finalists for the award. Even though he spent more time in the box than his counterparts, it should be noted that both Kopitar and Sanderson played 14 fewer games than Caufield.
He may not be considered a favourite to win the trophy, as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, but the fact that he almost played a complete season should work to his advantage.
The trophy itself was once seen as somewhat of a black sheep among all the other NHL accolades, but that perception has changed in recent years. One of Caufield's main competitors, Kopitar, helped change the perception, and has managed to take home the trophy on three occasions (2016, 2023, 2025).
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Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis also managed to capture the Lady Byng several times, including three times in four seasons (2010, 2011, 2013).
The last Habs player to win also happened to be a high-scoring, diminutive forward: Mats Naslund. Le Petit Viking won the trophy in 1988, having led the team in scoring with 33 goals and 51 assists, not to mention a very respectable 14 penalty minutes.
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