HabsWorld.net -- 

This week, the NHL has been revealing some of the finalists for its end-of-season awards.  The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy finalists were revealed on Thursday with Habs winger Cole Caufield among them.

The other finalists for the award are Kings centre Anze Kopitar (a three-time winner, including last year) and Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson (a first-time finalist).  Each played in 67 games this season with Kopitar taking five minor penalties and Sanderson four.

The award is presented annually “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

Caufield is a first-time finalist himself and is coming off a career year that saw him put up 51 goals and 37 assists.  Meanwhile, he only took seven minor penalties which is the biggest factor that has him potentially up for this award.

Only two Montreal players have ever won the award: Toe Blake in 1946 and Mats Naslund in 1988.  Nick Suzuki finished fifth in voting last season coming off an eight-PIM campaign.

Other finalists (placing second or third in voting) in franchise history are Naslund again (1989 and 1986), Guy Lafleur (1980, 1977, and 1976), Bobby Rousseau (1966), Claude Provost (1962), Donnie Marshall (1958), Floyd Curry (1956), Buddy O’Connor (1943), Howie Morenz (1928), and Pit Lepine (1927).

The NHL has not released when or how it will be presenting its awards this year.  Last year, they had a hybrid of pre-taped videos and a briefer awards ceremony following the playoffs.