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.
