Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, San Jose Sharks puck-moving defenceman Erik Karlsson and Boston Bruins scorer David Pastrnak are the Ted Lindsay Award finalists for the 2022-23 season, the NHLPA announced Tuesday.
The Ted Lindsay Award is given to the league’s "most outstanding player" as voted on by the NHLPA.
McDavid, 26, ran away with the Art Ross Trophy as regular-season scoring champ, putting his name in the same stratosphere as Gretzky, Lemieux, Yzerman and Nicholls with a 153-point season off a career-best 64 goals and 89 assists. The Richmond Hill, Ont., native finished with 25 more points than the next closest player, teammate Leon Draisaitl.
Karlsson, 32, had a renaissance season, setting career-bests in goals (25), assists (76) and points (101). The Landsbro, Sweden, native also became just the 15th defenceman in NHL history to break the century mark in points, and the first to do it since Brian Leetch hit 102 in 1991-92. Karlsson finished 11th in scoring among all skaters.
Pastrnak, 26, had a tremendous scoring season as well, scoring career highs in goals (61), assists (52) and points (113). The Havirov, Czechia, native was third in overall league scoring, including a league-leading 43 even-strength goals, 13 game-winning goals and 407 shots.
Wayne Gretzky has won the Ted Lindsay award five times. Cumulatively, members of the Pittsburgh Penguins have won the award 10 times, the most of any team. The Edmonton Oilers are second, with eight winners.
The NHL Awards ceremony is June 26 in Nashville on Sportsnet and SN NOW.
Ted Lindsay Award
Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
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