Ted Lindsay Award: Honoring the NHL's Most Outstanding Player in 2025

The Ted Lindsay Award is one of the NHL's most respected individual honors. Each year, it celebrates the most outstanding player in the league as voted on by fellow members of the NHL Players' Association. The peer-driven nature of the Ted Lindsay Award sets it apart, as players themselves choose the winner, making it a true mark of respect and excellence in hockey.

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Nikita Kucherov: 2025 Ted Lindsay Award finalists

What is the Ted Lindsay Award?

Formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, the Ted Lindsay Award was renamed in 2010 to honor Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay. Lindsay was known for his leadership on and off the ice and his efforts to establish the NHL Players’ Association. The award is unique because it recognizes not just the best, but the most outstanding player, as seen through the eyes of NHL players themselves.

2025 Ted Lindsay Award Finalists

This year, the three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award exemplify elite performance and consistency:

  • Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): MacKinnon continues his stellar form, seeking to become the first player to win the Ted Lindsay Award in consecutive seasons since Connor McDavid. His offensive numbers speak for themselves, with a remarkable 116 points this season. To learn more about MacKinnon's campaign and his bid for back-to-back victories, read Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon finalist for Ted Lindsay Award - ESPN.

  • Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning): Kucherov led the NHL in points for the second straight year, finishing the regular season with 121 points. This marks his third time as a Ted Lindsay finalist, a testament to his continued dominance on the ice.

  • Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche): As the league's top-scoring defenseman, Makar averaged nearly a point per game and became the first defenseman since 2008-09 to score 30 goals in a season. This is his first time as a finalist for the award.

For a detailed breakdown of each finalist and their impressive seasons, visit Kucherov, MacKinnon, Makar named Ted Lindsay Award finalists | NHL.com.

The Award’s Impact on the NHL

Winning the Ted Lindsay Award is a career-defining achievement. Unlike the Hart Trophy, which is awarded by journalists, the Ted Lindsay is unique because it reflects the opinions of NHL players themselves. This peer recognition is highly valued, as athletes understand the rigors of the league and the consistency required to excel.

Recent winners—like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon—have spoken about the deep honor of being recognized by fellow players. You can view a full tracker of this year's finalists and other major NHL awards at 2025 NHL awards tracker: Lightning's Nikita Kucherov headlines Ted Lindsay finalists – CBSSports.com.

Looking Ahead

The Ted Lindsay Award rightfully remains one of the most prestigious honors in pro hockey. With this year's finalists setting new standards for performance, fans can look forward to an exciting announcement as the NHL pays tribute to its most outstanding player.

Stay tuned for the official results, and continue following these inspiring athletes as they make history both on and off the ice.