Brayden Point, all-star forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning, has for the second straight year as per NHL.com, been nominated for the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies respectable sportsmanship, conduct, and capability during on-ice play. Alongside Point, NHL.com has announced Jack Eichel, leading first-line center of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Anze Kopitar, captain of the Los Angeles Kings, to be finalists as well.
Starting as the mere 79th overall pick in the third round of the 2014 NHL draft per NHL.com, Point has proven himself to be an authentic talent. His speed combined with his elusive skating has allowed him to expertly weaponize his goal scoring in a unique manner. The way in which Point performs on the ice has made him a true fan favorite for Lightning fans. Whether it be outskating the opposing team’s defense or scoring a nifty goal in the slot, Point has deftly demonstrated his case for being a top player in the National Hockey League.
It is not only the words of Tampa fans that bring Point critical acclaim, but also his regular season stats as well. In 2024-2025, NHL.com lists Brayden Point as above a point per game with 82 points, 41 goals, a +17 rating, and only seven penalty minutes in 77 games. What makes Point an ideal candidate for the Lady Byng Trophy is his low time in the penalty box combined with his lethal goal scoring.
In comparison to his fellow candidates, NHL.com has Point slating in with the highest goal total and second lowest penalty minutes. While Point’s scoring goes without question, often when thinking of Brayden Point one forgets about his knack for discipline. Especially in the regular season, one will see Point’s prowess for staying outside of the penalty box. NHL.com remarkably lists Point’s 657 game career as only being stained with 149 penalty minutes. In total, his penalty minutes surmount to only 2.4833, or 2.5 games. For any NHLer, this would be almost a golden standard to look up to for a career. Moving forward into the NHL awards, one can rest easy knowing Brayden Point will be a competitive candidate to win the Lady Byng Trophy for the 2024-2025 NHL season.
Legacy
Should Point win the Lady Byng Trophy, it will put him in not only elite company, but it will also cement him as one of the best Lightning players of our current generation. NHL.com reports that if Brayden Point were to win the Lady Byng Trophy, he would join Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards as the only Bolts blessed enough to win the coveted award. Martin St. Louis, former Bolts captain and legend of the franchise, is considered to be one of the greatest Bolts of all time. Following St. Louis is Brad Richards, who as per NHL.com is Stanley Cup champion and former Conn Smythe winner with the Bolts. Adding Point’s name alongside proven Bolts legends will certainly be quite the achievement. However, only time will tell if Point will earn that honor this year. Should he not win the award this year, Point has demonstrated enough consistent play to earn finalist votes for year to come. Expect Point to be a quality force shifting gears into the foreseeable future.
