Kucherov, MacKinnon, Makar Named Finalists for Ted Lindsay Award

TAMPA, Fla. — Three of the NHL’s standout players are up for the prestigious Ted Lindsay Award, announced Wednesday by the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA). Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, and Cale Makar, also from Colorado, are the finalists recognized for their outstanding performances during the 2024-25 season.

The Ted Lindsay Award is given annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by fellow players. The winner will be revealed at a later date. Kucherov, 31, led the NHL for the second consecutive year with 121 points, including 37 goals and 84 assists, in 78 games. He also led the league with 46 power-play points.

“I’m proud of the season I had, and it’s an honor to be recognized by my peers,” Kucherov said following the announcement. His consistent scoring helped the Lightning secure a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.

MacKinnon, 29, finished second in NHL scoring with 116 points, tying Kucherov for the league lead in assists. He recorded 32 multipoint games and led all players with 320 shots on goal. “It’s a testament to our team’s efforts,” MacKinnon said, highlighting the Avalanche’s strong performance despite early-season challenges.

Makar, just 26, broke through as a first-time finalist. He set career highs with 30 goals and 92 points, finishing as the highest-scoring defenseman in the league. “It’s incredible to be mentioned alongside these two great players,” Makar noted, as he aims for his second Norris Trophy for being the top defenseman.

The Ted Lindsay Award has historically favored forwards, with only one defenseman winning since the award’s inception. Makar hopes to change that narrative. “We’ll see what happens,” he said with a smile.

The NHL will announce remaining award finalists over the next few weeks, with the Hart Trophy finalists expected to be revealed Thursday.