The Lady Byng Trophy is awarded each year to the NHL player who has demonstrated the best sportsmanship while delivering outstanding performance.

Even though we’re past mid-season, we have to recognize that Cole Caufield is at the peak of the race.

Caufield is the ninth-best scorer (26) in the league and has not yet had a penalty. Caufield has still not found himself in the dungeon since the start of the season.

Even more impressive if you look back at last season, Caufield has now gone 56 consecutive penalties without a penalty. It’s the longest active streak of its kind in the NHL.

Caufield’s last penalty came on April 5 against the Ottawa Senators. Caufield had received a two-minute interference penalty during the second period of this game, which was presented at the Bell Centre.

If Caufield maintains his current goal production, he could reach between 45 and 50 goals. If he did this without receiving penalties, Caufield would become a serious contender.

However, he will not be alone in the race. Other players in the NHL have great seasons while being disciplined. I’m thinking of Jason Robertson (8 penalty minutes), Jack Hughes (2 penalty minutes), Kyle Connor (6 penalty minutes), Elias Pettersson (6 penalty minutes) and Jaccob Slavin (6 penalty minutes).

Only twice in NHL history has a Habs player won the Lady Byng Trophy: Toe Blake (1946) and Mats Naslund (1988).

We will see.