Ottawa Senators fans had reason to cheer heading into Friday's NHL Awards — defenceman Jake Sanderson was in the running for the Lady Byng Trophy, the honour given annually to the player who best combines excellent play with sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.
In the end, Sanderson came up just short. The Lady Byng went to Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens, while Caufield's teammate Nick Suzuki also took home the Frank J. Selke Trophy for best defensive forward. A big night in the Bell Centre nation — and a tough one on the other side of the provincial border.
Sanderson's Case Was Real
The fact that Sanderson was a legitimate contender for the Lady Byng says a lot about the kind of player he's become since being selected by Ottawa sixth overall in the 2020 draft. He's developed into one of the most reliable and composed defencemen in the league — a big offensive contributor who rarely takes bad penalties and almost never drops the gloves.
For a Senators squad that's been building steadily toward contention, having a player of Sanderson's character nominated for an award like this reflects well on the culture the team is cultivating in the nation's capital.
Caufield's Win Is Hard to Argue
Caufield had a standout regular season for the Canadiens, combining elite goal-scoring ability with a surprisingly clean disciplinary record — exactly what voters look for in a Lady Byng candidate. At just 25, he's emerged as one of the most exciting players in the Eastern Conference, and the trophy adds a personal milestone to what's been a strong stretch for him and Montreal.
Suzuki's Selke win is equally well-earned. The Canadiens captain has quietly become one of the better defensive forwards in the game, and the recognition cements his standing as a legitimate two-way centre.
What This Means for Ottawa's Future
For Senators fans, losing this one stings a little — but it's also a reminder of how much has changed in Ottawa. Two or three years ago, no one was talking about Senators players in the context of individual NHL Awards. Now Sanderson is regularly in those conversations, and he's only 23.
With Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and Sanderson anchoring a young, hungry core, the Senators are building the kind of roster that should be competing for more than just award nominations in the seasons ahead. The Lady Byng will wait — Ottawa's time is coming.
Source: CBC Ottawa / CBC Sports