Nathan MacKinnon nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award

After an MVP-esque regular season that resulted in a surprising playoff run by the Colorado Avalanche, Nathan MacKinnon has been nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award for “the NHL’s most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players Association.” Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, and New Jersey Devils winger Taylor Hall have also been nominated.

MacKinnon co-owns the league lead in game-winning goals this season with Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point, and was on pace for 108 points (tied for the league lead with McDavid) but missed eight games due to injury. His 39 goals, 58 assists, and 97 points were career highs for the 22-year-old. Mac also won Player of the Month honors for November for amassing 20 points (5g, 15a) in 12 games.

McDavid is the reigning Lindsay and Hart winner, but despite winning the scoring race, the annointed brightest star in the league couldn’t get the Oilers out of draft lottery contention. His inability to help his team win has been an area of debate among media and fans for several months now. This opens an avenue for MacKinnon or Hall (his former teammate) to take home some hardware at the NHL Awards in Vegas. Both Hall and MacKinnon were able to bring bottom-dwelling teams from a year ago into the playoffs and both contributed to 38% of their respective team’s goals (player points divided by team goals for).

It’s going to be a very tight race for both the Lindsay and the Hart. The only distinction between the two awards may come with voter’s interpretation of the awards. The Lindsay is for most outstanding player, the Hart is for the Most Valuable Player to his Team.

Go Mac Go!