Don't tell Buffalo Sabres fans this. But the Vegas Golden Knights have a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. His name? Jack Eichel.
That was the general reaction in Western New York as they learned the former Sabre was named a finalist. Eichel will go up against Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings and Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The finalists were named on Friday as part of an ongoing rollout of various award finalists for the NHL Awards. Eichel has buoyed the Golden Knights throughout the 2024-25 season. He scored 28 goals and 66 assists for a total of 94 points (the assists and points are franchise records) and made his presence felt during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
His impressive stat totals also extend to the power play, where he scored five goals and 29 assists on the unit. In turn, the Golden Knights had the second-best group in the NHL (28.3%), along with having the best percentage in franchise history. Not bad for somebody who escaped Buffalo after eating bad chicken wings with Cody Bellinger.
What is the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy?
Well, dear reader. 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." In short, it's a player who exemplifies being a class act on the ice and dominates his sport.
Jack Eichel has the domination part down to a tee with his record-breaking regular season. But he's also turned it up during the postseason. He has a goal and four assists in his last three playoff games, marking the return of "Playoff Eichel."
As far as past Lady Byng winners, Anze Kopitar is the only finalist who's won the award before. The Kings forward won in 2022-23 while scoring 28 goals and 46 assists. Eichel wouldn't be the first Vegas Golden Knights star to win the award, either. William Karlsson won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2017-18. The "Misfit" scored 43 goals and 35 points during the inaugural season, leading the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final.
The award would be another crowning achievement for a player emerging as an elite forward. He's had a banner year marked by incredible stats and personal wins all around. Sure, some fans might not believe it, especially if they're from Western New York. However, they'd best accept it, to quote the Macho Man Randy Savage. Elite Jack Eichel is here and he's staying for a long time.