Best model citizen NHL player / "Plays the right way"

[sjosty26]

Who do you guys think is the one player in the NHL who always plays the right way?

That you would be more than thrilled to have on your team. I'm not talking about most talented, although it could be.

But based upon: always hustles and gives effort, respects both the opposition and referees (isn't cheap), is involved in the community given the opportunity.

Just a player that you can't really say anything bad about on the ice. Someone who goes about playing the right way, but might not necessarily get the credit for it?

I think mine might be Jesper Fast of the Rangers or Brian Dumoulin of the Penguins, although my view is based upon the teams I watch most (NYR/PIT/COL).

Curious to see the names you guys come up with.

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[Kale Hulls]

Corey Perry exemplifies skill and honor.

 

[Ned Bouhalassa]

Patrice Bergeron.

 

[bluesfan94]

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - Wikipedia

 

[Elvs]

Andrew Cogliano

 

[jvcjdudu jcycyxjene]

Auston Matthews probably

 

[SlavinAway]

Jaccob Slavin

 

[Wayne Primeau]

Jarome Iginla always played every shift like it was his last and held himself to an incredible standard on the ice.

 

[talitintti]

Leo Komarov.

 

[easton117]

Jarome Iginla always played every shift like it was his last and held himself to an incredible standard on the ice.

Ya first guy that came to mind.

There’s the usuals, Crosby, Bergeron, Toews. They carry themselves well.

Don’t know what his involvement in the community was like but you don’t hang around as long as Recchi did being a plug.

 

[BillNy]

Jarome Iginla always played every shift like it was his last and held himself to an incredible standard on the ice.

I was gonna joke "oh, definitely a white Canadian with no personality who plays on my favorite team," so it was a nice surprise to see one of the first few posts name a black guy who is genuinely friendly, outgoing, and interesting. Iginla is definitely the best example of my lifetime. Dude is a saint, and one of the saddest guys to see leave without a Cup.

 

[Mortivore]

Mats Zuccarello

 

[rfournier103]

Patrice Bergeron.

I second this.

 

[542365]

Ryan O'Reilly would get my vote for the Blues. Jaden Schwartz would be a close second most nights.

 

[MXD]

Georges Laraque was exactly that, and he's been even better since he retired.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

MAF? Don't know if a goalie fits your criteria, but by all accounts from guys who talk about him around the league he sounds like a good candidate.

 

[RadekBong]

PK Subban

 

[IceNeophyte]

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - Wikipedia

Yep. And last year's winner would be my choice.

 

[abo9]

Saku Koivu for the Habs back then

For current Habs I'd say Gallagher, his game is based around 100% effort every night and hustles.

 

[Ms Maggie]

Crosby. Bergeron.

 

[Sidgeni Malkby]

Matt Cullen comes to mind.

Tavares. Never heard anything bad about him, though I don’t know how much community involvement he has.

Also, you can pick a lot of players above 35. Maturity!

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Henrik Zetterberg.

 

[tarheelhockey]

This is absolutely 100% Jaccob Slavin. He's the kind of person and player that the Lady Byng was originally intended to recognize. On the ice he busts his butt every night to play a zero-glory positional defensive game, never takes penalties (30 career PIM in over 230 games), never gets into drama with opponents or officials. Off the ice he's a total boy scout, the sort of guy who looks everyone in the eye and shakes their hand while having an actual conversation, then leaves to hand out meals at a soup kitchen or something.

Someone said the other day on the Canes board that he's like the Tim Duncan of the NHL, which is absolutely accurate.

 

[ziggyjoe212]

Crosby, Bergeron, Dumoulin, Maatta.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Brayden Point is turning into that guy for the Lightning. Should qualify that he hasn't signed a big-time contract yet, which I think is a huge factor when evaluating how players handle themselves professionally.