Kucherov, MacKinnon, Makar named Ted Lindsay Award finalists

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Colorado Avalanche teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, the NHL announced Wednesday.

The award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted on by NHLPA members. It was first handed out in 1971 and previously known as the Lester B. Pearson Award.

Kucherov paced the league with 121 points this season, with MacKinnon right behind him at 116. Makar led all defenseman in goals (30), assists (62), and points (92) - the latter of which ranked ninth among all skaters. Makar, who's also up for the Norris Trophy, became the ninth defenseman in NHL history to score 30 goals this season.

MacKinnon is the reigning winner, while Kucherov took it home in 2019. Makar would be the second defenseman to ever win the award, following Bobby Orr in 1975. Goaltender Carey Price was the last non-forward to win in 2015.

MacKinnon and Makar are the first set of teammates to be finalists since the award was renamed in 2010.