Kucherov, MacKinnon and Makar named finalists for 2025 Ted Lindsay Award

Three of the best players in the NHL are being recognized by their peers and could be taking home some hardware as a result.

On Wednesday, the NHL announced that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, along with Colorado Avalanche teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, are the finalists for the 2025 Ted Lindsay Award.

The Ted Lindsay Award is handed out to the best player in the league, as voted on by members of the NHL Players’ Association.

Kucherov went under the radar for a lot of the regular season but started getting national attention after spearheading the Lightning’s effort to climb up the standings to a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division. The Russian star led the league with 121 points during the regular season, winning the Art Ross Trophy for the second consecutive season, also finishing tied for the league lead in assists with 84.

The 31-year-old won the Ted Lindsay Award in the 2018-19 season, the same year he won his only Hart Trophy as league MVP.

With so many bumps in the road, many have credited the Avalanche’s success this season to the play of Nathan MacKinnon. The reigning Hart Trophy winner carried Colorado through the team’s early-season struggles. The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native was consistent all year long, helping the Avs finish third in the Central Division. MacKinnon was tied with Kucherov with 84 assists, ending up second in overall scoring with 116 points.

MacKinnon also won the Ted Lindsay as part of his MVP season.

This is the first time Makar has been nominated for the Ted Lindsay. The 26-year-old led all defenders in scoring with 30 goals and 62 assists for 92 points in 80 games. The 2022 Norris Trophy winner finished ninth in overall scoring this season.

The obvious snub from the trio is Leon Draisaitl. The Edmonton Oilers forward won this year’s Rocket Richard Trophy after leading the league with 52 goals, the only player in the NHL to hit the half-century mark this season.