Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby named finalists for NHL’s Ted Lindsay Award

The three nominees for the Ted Lindsay award are Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby.

The award is handed out annually to “the most outstanding player in the NHL” as voted on by fellow members of the NHLPA.

McDavid is looking to secure his third Ted Lindsay award in only his sixth season in the league. He could be considered the front runner for the award after winning his third Art Ross Trophy this year as the league’s leading scorer. He notched an incredible 105 points in 56 games, 21 higher than his next closest competitor. If he wins, he would become the seventh player to win the award three times joining Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Jaromir Jagr, and Alex Ovechkin.

Matthews, meanwhile, is looking for his first title. He won the Rocket Richard trophy this year as the NHL’s leading scorer filling the net 41 times. Matthews was the first Maple Leafs player in 75 years to lead the league in goals. If he wins, he would be the first Leaf to do so and only the second American-born player to win the award after Patrick Kane.

Lastly, Crosby is in the hunt for his sixth Ted Lindsay award in his 15-year career. He led the Pittsburgh Penguins in goals (24) and points (62) while placing 10th in league scoring. If he wins, he would become just the third player to win the award four times joining Gretzky and Lemieux.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.