The NHL announced the finalists for its first end-of-season award on Tuesday.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov are up for the 2026 Ted Lindsay Award, as players’ MVP. The trophy, voted on by their peers, goes to the player they deem most outstanding in the NHL regular season.
Statistics
Connor McDavid: 48 goals, 90 assists, 138 points in 82 games
Nikita Kucherov: 44 goals, 86 assists, 130 points in 76 games
Macklin Celebrini: 45 goals, 70 assists, 115 points in 82 games
The three forwards were three of the top four scorers in the NHL this season with McDavid finishing first, Kucherov finishing second, and Celebrini finishing fourth. Because he appeared in 6 fewer games, Kucherov actually had a higher points-per-game number (1.71) than McDavid (1.68) this season.
The NHL will continue to announce the awards every weekday until May 11.
Remaining NHL Awards announcements
Wednesday, April 29
Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Thursday, April 30
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship and Gentlemanly Conduct)
Friday, May 1
Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
Monday, May 4
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Perseverance, Sportsmanship and Dedication)
Tuesday, May 5
Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
Wednesday, May 6
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)
Thursday, May 7
James Norris Memorial Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Friday, May 8
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP of Regular Season)
Monday, May 11
Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award (Impact on Community, Culture or Society)
Per the NHL, finalists for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award will be announced following the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Only winners will be announced for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership and Humanitarian Contribution) and Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (Leadership and Growing the Game).
Here’s the full press release from the NHL:
2025-26 TED LINDSAY AWARD: CELEBRINI, KUCHEROV AND MCDAVID ANNOUNCED AS FINALISTS FOR MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER AS VOTED BY THE PLAYERS
Celebrini seeks his first award, while Kucherov seeks his third TLA overall and McDavid his fifth
TORONTO (April 28, 2026) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association announced today the three finalists for the 2025-26 Ted Lindsay Award are Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers. The TLA is presented annually to “the Most Outstanding Player in the NHL,” as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.
The 2025-26 TLA recipient will be announced on a later date. This season marks the 55th presentation of the only NHL award voted by the players themselves. The three TLA finalists received the most votes from their peers based on their 2025-26 regular-season campaigns, and are listed in alphabetical order as follows:
Celebrini, forward on the San Jose Sharks, set a single-season franchise record with 115 points (45-70-115) in his 2025-26 sophomore season, surpassing former Sharks great and 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee, Joe Thornton’s previous record. During the season, it was a tight race between the 2024 first overall draft pick and some top stars; Celebrini ended up placing fourth in the League for regular season points. He was also selected by Team Canada to play in the 2026 Olympic Milano Cortina Winter Games, earning a silver medal.
Kucherov, a two-time Ted Lindsay Award recipient, collected 130 points (44-86-130), leading the Lightning and ranking second among all skaters this regular season. The right-winger collected his 1,000th career point this season against the Anaheim Ducks on October 25, 2025, becoming the fastest Russian born player and fourth fastest non-North American to reach this feat. Kucherov ranks first on the Lightning for all-time regular season assists (723) and second in goals (401) and points (1,124).
McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers and four-time recipient of the Ted Lindsay Award, led the League with 138 points (48-90-138) during the regular season. The 2025-26 season saw McDavid reach 800 career assists (the third fastest in NHL history), reach 1,100 and 1,200 career point milestones and notch his 400th career NHL goal.
About the Ted Lindsay Award:
The Ted Lindsay Award is unique as the only NHL award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established in 1970-71 with the Lester B. Pearson Award. NHLPA members annually vote on the player they deem to be the most outstanding in the NHL regular season. The award was reintroduced in 2009-10 as the namesake of the late Ted Lindsay to honour his legacy as a Hockey Hall of Fame forward known for skill, tenacity and leadership, along with his role in establishing the original Players’ Association. For more information on the TLA, visit NHLPA.com. Join the conversation by using #TedLindsayAward.
