Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews have been named finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the team’s most outstanding player. the NHL as voted by members of the NHL Players’ Association. Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid was last year’s recipient.
Kucherov recorded the fourth 100-plus point season of his career in 2023-24, leading the league with 144 points to win his second Art Ross Trophy. The Russian winger also became the fifth player in NHL history to record 100 assists in a single season and led the league in assists (62) and power play points (53). Kucherov’s 44 goals are also a single-season career high.
MacKinnon had a streak of 35 consecutive games with at least one point at home, the second longest in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky’s streak of 40 consecutive games. The Nova Scotia native also set career highs in goals (51), assists (89) and points (140), while leading all scorers in even-strength points (92) and finishing with the second most goals at even strength (41). Like Kucherov, MacKinnon was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy earlier this week.
Matthews led all scorers with 69, winning his third Rocket Richard Trophy. He scored 51 goals at even strength, becoming the eighth player in NHL history to accomplish this feat. Matthews also scored a career-high 107 points, the highest total he has ever recorded in a season. The Maple Leafs forward, who finished second in the league in takeaways (85), is also a finalist for the Selke Trophy.
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(Photo by Auston Matthews and Nathan MacKinnon: Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)