Calls for NHL to rename player award after Johnny Gaudreau

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Ryan Hall
August 31, 2024 (9:00 PM)

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NHL contributor JFresh of EPRinkside has proposed that the NHL retire the Lady Byng trophy and replace it with a new trophy in Johnny Gaudreau's honor.

His thoughts about retiring this trophy are since it is voted by the media and not by the NHL PA and the lady bang is the trophy that recognizes an NHL player who is the least penalized player in the league. This trophy was the only trophy that Gaudreau had won in his career thus far.

He feels that a new trophy should be awarded and known as the Gaudreau Trophy which would be voted for by the NHL players themselves.

This is on the cusp of one of the most devastating times in NHL history as Jonny and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were killed on August 29th by an apparent drunk driver in New Jersey as they were cycling along a two-lane highway.

The former late Calgary Flames star spent the bulk of his career with the Oilers rival until he became an unrestricted free agent and decided to go to Columbus Ohio to play for the Blue Jackets. Last season he played 81 games, scoring 12 goals and 48 assists for 60 points and had 22 penalty minutes.

I feel it would be prudent that the NHL honor the Gaudreau name and whether it's a new trophy or another option this tragedy should be recognized league wide and give these players a place in NHL lore.