Buffalo Sabres Awards, NHL Awards-Style
Jan 30, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward
Matt Moulson(26) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Sabres Lady Byng Trophy: Matt Moulson
The Buffalo Sabres Lady Byng Trophy is presented to the team’s most gentlemanly player. For the 2014-2015 season, that honor goes to forward Matt Moulson.
The reasoning behind this one is plain and simple: look at the numbers. Moulson racked up just four penalty minutes through 77 games last season. That’s the least of any player who spent the entirety of the season with the Buffalo Sabres.
Ten players had fewer penalty minutes than Moulson last season, but all played in considerably fewer games: Joel Armia (0 PIM/1 gp), Jake McCabe (0 PIM/2 gp), Chad Ruhwedel (0 PIM, 4 gp); Jerry D’Amigo and Sam Reinhart (2 PIM each/9 gp); Tim Schaller (2 PIM, 18 gp), Mark Pysyk (2 PIM, 7 gp); Mikhail Grigorenko (2 PIM, 25 gp); Matt Ellis (4 PIM, 39 gp); and Zac Dalpe (4 PIM, 21 gp).
Runner-up: Brian Flynn, who had eight penalty minutes in 54 games with the Sabres before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens. Flynn has historically been a not-very-penalized player, having been served just 14 penalty minutes in 105 games between 2012 and 2014.