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Nikita Kucherov Wins Ted Lindsay Award, Surprised by Lightning Teammates

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3 weeks ago

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Nikita Kucherov Ted Lindsay Award

Brandon, Florida — Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov was named the winner of the Ted Lindsay Award on Wednesday. This coveted honor is presented by the NHL Players’ Association to the most outstanding player in the NHL, as voted on by its members.

This win marks the second time Kucherov has received the award, with his first win occurring in the 2018-19 season. He was also a finalist last year. This season, Kucherov led the NHL with an impressive 121 points, scoring 37 goals and providing 84 assists over 78 games, which earned him the Art Ross Trophy as well.

The announcement came with a surprise for Kucherov. His teammates planned to present him with the award after his daily skate at their practice facility in Florida. However, Kucherov opted out of skating that day. Tampa Bay captain Victor Hedman described the surprise stating, “It was a great feeling to see how surprised he was.”

To create an unexpected moment, general manager Julien BriseBois had to stall Kucherov’s exit. He pulled Hedman aside to concoct a plan involving a mock-up discussion about flying Kucherov to Los Angeles for the NHL Awards. Kucherov was confused, asking, “What trophy?” This confusion set the stage for a memorable award reveal.

Once Kucherov entered the room, he was greeted by his teammates holding the Ted Lindsay Award. “It really means a lot to me,” he said in a heartfelt response to his teammates. Along with leading the NHL in scoring, Kucherov also topped the league in power-play points, recorded nine game-winning goals, and achieved plus-22 on the ice this season.

This marked Kucherov’s third consecutive season scoring over 110 points, having scored 144 points last season and 113 the season prior. He is also a finalist for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player, alongside Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The Hart Trophy winner will be announced at the 2025 NHL Awards on June 12.