NHL scoring champion Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers leads the list of finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, which goes to the league’s most outstanding player as selected by his peers.
San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson and Boston Bruins right winger David Pastrnak also were announced as finalists on Wednesday. The honoree will be revealed during the NHL Awards ceremony on June 26 in Nashville.
McDavid, a 26-year-old center, led the NHL in both goals (64) and assists (89). His total of 153 points was the highest by any player since Mario Lemieux registered 161 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-96. McDavid’s season points total also was the 15th highest in NHL history.
McDavid won the Lindsay Award in 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2020-21. Should he be honored again, he would join five-time winner Wayne Gretzky and four-time winner Lemieux as the only players to receive the Lindsay award more than three times.
Pastrnak, 26, racked up 61 goals (second in the league) and 52 assists, with his 113 points tying for third in the league. He helped lead the Bruins to the best regular season in NHL history in terms of wins and points.
No Boston player has won the Lindsay Award since Bobby Orr in 1974-75.
Karlsson, 32, logged 101 points this season, just the sixth time a defenseman ever reached triple figures. He put up 25 goals and 76 assists. He is aiming to become the first San Jose player to receive the Lindsay Award, which was formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award.
–Field Level Media