One of the biggest bright spots of the underwhelming Winnipeg Jets 2021-2022 season was Kyle Connor.
The twenty-five-year-old led the Jets in scoring, by a wide margin, and finished the regular season with 47 goals and 46 assists for 93 points all while amassing 4 penalty minutes in 79 games played.
Connor finished among the top-fifteen in the NHL in points scored and top-five in goals scored. Among the top-100 point scorers in the league, Connor had the least amount of penalty minutes.
Due to Connor’s fantastic individual season, he has been named one of three finalists for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy along with Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild.
Winnipeg Jets star forward, Kyle Connor has been named a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng is presented “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”
Among the finalists for this prestigious award, Connor had the least amount of minor penalties assessed among the group with two, while both Slavin and Spurgeon each had five assessed.
Although Connor had more than fifty points than both of the other finalists, both of their plus/minus ratings were significantly better than Connor’s. Connor finished the season with a minus-three plus/minus, while Slavin had an impressive plus-35 rating and Spurgeon had a terrific plus-32 rating.
This is Connor’s first time up for the award, while last season, Slavin won the Lady Byng and Spurgeon finished as the runner-up.
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Connor is one of two Jets up for an award this offseason. Josh Morrissey is the Jets’ nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This award is given “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” The three finalists for the King Clancy Trophy will be revealed tomorrow (Friday, May 20th).
The NHL has yet to announce the exact date of the NHL awards ceremony, but they have revealed that it will take place at some point during the Conference Finals and/or Stanley Cup Finals.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Do you think Kyle Connor will win the Lady Byng Trophy? Leave your comments below!
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