For us writers here at Last Word, we present readers with yet another of league’s individual award finalists. The Ted Lindsay Award is presented to the Most Outstanding Player as voted by the NHLPA. Many of us may remember it by its former name, the Lester B. Pearson Award. This is a very high honour, as it is voted by your peers. Only three players have won the award more than three times, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Connor McDavid. Yes, that’s right McDavid, who was only 26 years old when he won last year. However, the Edmonton Oiler superstar will not be adding a fifth claim to the trophy just yet.
Final Three Nominees for the Ted Lindsay Award as League MVP Voted on by the Players
Nikita Kucherov
If the Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov wins the Ted Lindsay Award in 2023-24, it will be his second time. The first was his tremendous 2018-19 season. Moreover, his 2023-24 was perhaps just as impressive. As we mentioned in the Hart Trophy finalists article, his most impressive statistical feat wasn’t just winning the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer. The most impressive part of his 144 points was the margin of victory over second place on his team, with Brayden Point‘s 90.
In terms of being selected by his peers, Kucherov’s gap on his teammates will be recognized. Also, the fact he won the Art Ross by four points, and reached 100 assists on the year, will all factor in. In addition, his peers have a true admiration for his on-ice vision. His ability to create space in the offensive zone is unmatched in today’s NHL. Intangibles tend to go a long way when discussing amongst peers.
Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs superstar, goal-scoring dynamo, is seeking his second career Ted Lindsay Award. And why not? A 69-goal regular season carries a lot of weight. Especially when you consider that total had not been achieved since someone by the name of Mario Lemieux was at his peak, way back in 1995-96. Besides the mostly popularized offensive dynamic of Matthews’ game, he is quite a remarkable two-way player as well. Case in point, his Selke Trophy nomination this year as well. Matthews is a thief of other people’s puck. He possesses an uncanny ability to steal the puck from opponents on the backcheck. His 85 takeaways speaks to that fact. If Matthews doesn’t win this years award, it is probably because his fellow voting peers think he already has enough recognition with his third career Rocket Richard Trophy already in the bag this year.
Searching for his First Ted Lindsay Award Win: Nathan MacKinnon
In the Colorado Avalanche centre’s rookie season, his fellow Nova Scotian friend, Sidney Crosby won his third, and thus far, last, Lester B. Pearson Award. MacKinnon has not won it, yet, but would’ve been close in the running for this award, because he was close in Hart Trophy voting on multiple occasions. The difference is, that only the winner is presented, not the order of voting like most other main NHL individual awards. One aspect MacKinnon’s fellow hockey players will respect about his 2023-24, was how far he blew out his previous career totals. He had nine more goals than his second-best season total, 20 more assists, and 29 assists. Oh and also, 39 more shots to boot.
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
