Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner has secured a top 10 finish for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
Voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, the Lady Byng is given “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”
The 28-year-old placed eighth in voting with three first-place, five second-place, 10 third-place, eight fourth-place, and 10 fifth-place votes for 149 points. The winner, L.A. Kings forward Anze Kopitar, finished with 50 first-place, 31 second-place, 11 third-place, 22 fourth-place, and 18 fifth-place votes for 856 points.
Ahead of Marner in the voting was Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (195), Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (221), Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (694), Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (760), Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel (782), and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point (793).
Below is the PHWA’s top 10:
1. Anze Kopitar, LAK 856 (50-31-11-22-18)
2. Brayden Point, TBL 793 (27-43-28-21-19)
3. Jack Eichel, VGK 782 (34-26-28-36-12)
4. Jaccob Slavin, CAR 760 (33-36-22-17-17)
5. Nick Suzuki, MTL 694 (8-35-48-29-42)
6. Cale Makar, COL 221 (12-3-9-8-11)
7. Marc-Andre Fleury, MIN 195 (16-2-2-2-5)
8. Mitch Marner, TOR 149 (3-5-10-8-10)
9. Colton Parayko, STL 72 (1-2-4-6-10)
10. Jake Sanderson, OTT 71 (1-1-8-3-5)
Report: John Tavares, Maple Leafs In Ongoing Contract Talks Ahead Of NHL Free AgencyWith the start of NHL free agency less than three weeks away, the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing decisions that could dramatically change their roster construction. While much speculation centers on the future of projected No. 1 NHL free agent Mitch Marner, the team must also address other key players like John Tavares and Matthew Knies.
Marner finished the season with a career-high 102 points — 27 goals and 75 assists — in 81 games, the first time he’s hit the 100-point mark in his NHL career. The forward, whose contract with Toronto expires on July 1, had 14 penalty minutes this season, the 16th-least among players with 50+ points.
After being nominated for the King Clancy Trophy in 2019-20, which is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community,” Marner was selected again this season.
Not only has he been selected as Toronto’s nominee for those trophies, but the playmaking forward was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2023. Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron won the award that year, receiving all but nine first-place votes (187 out of 196).
New Jersey Devils forward Niko Hischier finished in the second spot with 804 points, while Marner ended up in third place with 480 points. Auston Matthews finished with 22 points that year before becoming a finalist for the trophy last season.
Marner is expected to become a free agent on July 1 after nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, where he ranks fifth all-time on the team’s point list (741 points in 657 games), fifth in the club’s all-time playoff points (63 points in 70 postseason games), and fourth in assists (520).
He was drafted by his hometown team with the fourth-overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
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