What the 2025 Ted Lindsay Finalists Reveal About NHL Greatness
Each year, the NHL awards the Ted Lindsay Award to the league’s most outstanding regular-season player, but what makes this award unique is who does the voting. Unlike media-voted honors, this award is determined by NHL players themselves, offering a rare and respected perspective. The Ted Lindsay Award is a recognition of not just skill, but how much impact a player has on those they compete against. For the 2024–25 season, the NHLPA has named its three finalists: Nikita Kucherov, Cale Makar, and Nathan MacKinnon. Each brings a different skill set and legacy to the table, but all three have earned the respect of their opponents through their consistency, production, and leadership.
Kucherov led the NHL in scoring with 121 points, recording 37 goals and 84 assists in 78 games. He captured his second consecutive and third overall Art Ross Trophy, a testament to his sustained offensive dominance. Kucherov also led the league in power-play points with 46 and ranked near the top in game-winning goals. His vision, puck control, and ability to dictate the pace of play reflect an elite hockey IQ. This marks the third time he has led the league in scoring and his third nomination for the Ted Lindsay Award. He previously won the award in 2019, and another win would further solidify his already impressive legacy.
Makar is redefining what it means to be an NHL defenseman. With 92 points on 30 goals and 62 assists, he led all defensemen in scoring and became the first to reach the 30-goal mark since the 2008-2009 season. Makar’s skating, offensive instincts, and defensive awareness set him apart from others in his position. This is his first career nomination for the Ted Lindsay Award, and it’s a historic one. No defenseman has won the award since Bobby Orr in the 1974–75 season. Makar’s presence among the finalists signals growing recognition for impact beyond just traditional forward metrics.
MacKinnon finished second in the league with 116 points, recording 32 goals and 84 assists. He led all forwards in average ice time at 22:47 per game, often carrying the load for Colorado in key moments. MacKinnon also led the NHL with 320 shots on goal, showcasing his aggressiveness and offensive volume. His speed, edge work, and drive make him one of the hardest players to contain. As the reigning Ted Lindsay winner, MacKinnon is looking to repeat—a feat few players have accomplished in the award’s history. His all-around game and relentless approach continue to make him one of the most respected players in the league. Both MacKinnon and Kucherov remained among the league’s leading point scorers throughout April, reinforcing their case as top contenders for the award.
In a league often dominated by offensive forwards in awards discussions, Makar’s nomination represents a shift in how the hockey world evaluates greatness. It’s not just about goals or assists, it’s about presence, influence, and respect among your peers. All three finalists have left their mark on the 2024–25 season in different ways. Whether it’s Kucherov’s poise, MacKinnon’s intensity, or Makar’s evolution of the blueline role, each player brings something extraordinary to the game. As the NHL prepares for its annual awards, the Ted Lindsay finalists remind fans that true excellence is often best measured by the players who face it night after night.
