Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Matthews led the League with a franchise-record 69 goals (the most by any player since 1995-96) and finished sixth with 107 points (the most by a Maple Leafs player since 1993-94) to power Toronto to its eighth straight playoff berth since he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. He also ranked among the top 2023-24 performers in takeaways (2nd; 85), shots on goal (3rd; 369), power-play goals (t‑5th; 18), game-winning goals (t-11th; 8), shooting percentage (14th; 18.7% – minimum: 1 SOG/GP) and plus/minus (14th; +31). Matthews, who appeared in 81 of 82 possible games, achieved these numbers while placing seventh among forwards in total time on ice (1,698:17) and receiving 20 penalty minutes – the fewest among the League’s top 15 scorers. The 26-year-old Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner is a Lady Byng Trophy finalist for the third time, after finishing second in voting in 2019-20 and third in 2020-21. He is vying to become the eighth different player in Maple Leafs history to capture the award and just the second in the expansion era (since 1967-68), following Alexander Mogilny in 2002-03.

Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks

Pettersson registered his third consecutive 30-goal campaign to propel the Canucks to the Pacific Division title on the strength of a 50-23-9 record (109 points), their most wins and points in a season since 2011-12 (51-22-9, 111 points). He placed third on Vancouver in goals (34), assists (55) and points (89), while sharing fourth place in the entire NHL with 10 game-winning goals – highlighted by a stretch during which he became the first player in League history to score the decisive tally in four straight road games (Jan. 6-11). Pettersson, who skated in all 82 contests and ranked 19th among forwards in total time on ice (1,611:20), was assessed just six penalties (12 PIM) – the sixth time in as many NHL seasons he has received fewer than 20 penalty minutes. Only one of the League’s top 80 scorers totaled fewer penalty minutes in 2023-24 (Gustav Nyquist: 8 PIM in 81 GP w/ NSH). The 25-year-old Sundsvall, Sweden, native is the first Lady Byng Trophy finalist in Canucks history and is seeking to join William Karlsson (2017-18 w/ VGK) and Mats Naslund (1987-88 w/ MTL) as the third Swedish-born player to capture the award.

Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes

Slavin logged the third-most minutes (1,695:29) and third-highest plus/minus (+21) for a Carolina defense that allowed the fourth-fewest goals in the League (216) en route to its third straight 110-point season and sixth consecutive playoff berth. Slavin, who finished third among Hurricanes blueliners with 6‑31—37 (81 GP), surpassed Dave Babych (on Nov. 11 at TBL) and Justin Faulk (on March 10 vs. CGY) to become the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and points, respectively, by a defenseman (49‑223—272 in 665 GP). He did so while ranking second among NHL blueliners (and ninth in the entire League) with 71 takeaways and being assessed eight total penalty minutes – the fewest among the NHL’s 81 skaters who played at least 1,600 minutes in 2023-24. The 30-year-old Denver, Colo., native is a Lady Byng Trophy finalist for the third time, after winning the award in 2020-21 and placing second in 2021-22. He is looking to join Red Kelly (3x, last in 1953-54 w/ DET) as the second defenseman and Joe Mullen (2x, last in 1988-89 w/ CGY) as the second U.S.-born player to win the trophy multiple times.

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 Sunday, May 5, when the three finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy will be unveiled.