May 15, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and defenseman Cale Makar (8) skate off the ice after Makar scores a power play goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period in game five of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Ted Lindsay Award Finalists Revealed by NHLPA

Originally posted on Breakaway on SI | By Nick Horwat | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 11:30 AM ET

While many fans look at the Hart Trophy as the premier player award in the NHL, players often believe the Ted Lindsay Award is more prestigious. The award is given annually to the NHL’s best player, as voted on by members of the Players Association (NHLPA).

Players from around the NHL voted and decided the three finalists for the 2025 Ted Lindsay are Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

As voted on by their fellow players, former recipients Nikita Kucherov and Nathan MacKinnon join first-time finalist Cale Makar as the 2024-25 finalists for the #TedLindsayAward.

More: https://t.co/3Ia8FV5Mbr #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/mJqCJqTpVd
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 30, 2025

MacKinnon won the Lindsay Award last season along with the Hart Trophy, far and away as the NHL’s top player. He’s followed up his MVP campaign with another outstanding season, notching 32 goals and a league-leading 84 assists for 116 total points.

Even after a slow start for the Avalanche, MacKinnon put the team on his back and helped them to a 49-29-4 record and third in the Central Division.

This is Makar’s first time ever being nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award and he put up unbelievable numbers for a defenseman. In 80 games, Makar scored 30 goals and 62 assists for a career-high 92 points.

Even the best offensive defensemen don’t usually reach 90 points in a single season, but Makar has hit that mark in back-to-back campaigns now. With 90-point seasons rare for blue liners, the 2024-25 season very well could be the high-water mark for Makar’s career.

Kucherov led the NHL in scoring for the second straight season, this time putting up 121 total points (37G-84A). He finished second in Hart voting last year, losing out to MacKinnon.

Kucherov has won the Lindsay before in his career, first taking the award in 2019 after a 128-point season.

The Ted Lindsay Award is a special trophy for the players. It’s one that their fellow teammates and opponents vote on and is often a true barometer for who the best player in the league is.

This article first appeared on Breakaway on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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