The 2026 Ted Lindsay Award has once again become one of the most talked-about honors in the NHL. Unlike many other major hockey awards, the Ted Lindsay Award is voted on by the players themselves, making it one of the league’s most respected individual achievements. In 2026, the award race featured some of hockey’s biggest stars, with elite performances throughout the regular season drawing attention from fans and analysts alike.
What Is the Ted Lindsay Award?
The Ted Lindsay Award is presented annually to the NHL’s most outstanding player during the regular season. The award is voted on by members of the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), meaning players recognize the competitor they believe performed at the highest level. Originally known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, it was renamed in 2010 in honor of hockey legend Ted Lindsay.
Ted Lindsay Award 2026 Winner
The 2026 Ted Lindsay Award winner is Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.
McDavid captured the award for the fifth time in his career after an extraordinary 2025-26 season. He led the NHL with 138 points, recording 48 goals and 90 assists while helping Edmonton finish near the top of the Pacific Division. His fifth victory ties the record set by Wayne Gretzky for the most Ted Lindsay Awards in league history.
Ted Lindsay Award 2026 Nominees
The three finalists for the 2026 award were:
- Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers
- Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning
- Macklin Celebrini – San Jose Sharks
All three players delivered outstanding campaigns. McDavid led the league in scoring, Kucherov maintained one of the NHL’s highest points-per-game rates, and Celebrini produced a historic season for San Jose while establishing himself as one of hockey’s brightest young stars.
Ted Lindsay Award vs Hart Trophy
One of the most common questions among NHL fans is how the Ted Lindsay Award differs from the Hart Trophy.
| Award | Purpose | Voters |
|---|---|---|
| Ted Lindsay Award | Most outstanding player in the NHL | NHL players (NHLPA members) |
| Hart Memorial Trophy | Most valuable player to his team | Professional Hockey Writers’ Association |
The key difference is voting. The Ted Lindsay Award reflects the opinions of fellow players, while the Hart Trophy is determined by hockey journalists. Because of this, many players consider the Ted Lindsay Award especially meaningful since it comes from the athletes they compete against every night.
How Ted Lindsay Award Voting Works
Voting for the Ted Lindsay Award takes place at the conclusion of the NHL regular season. Members of the NHL Players’ Association cast ballots to determine which player they believe was the league’s most outstanding performer.
Unlike fan voting or media voting, the process relies entirely on peer evaluation. This unique approach often creates different outcomes from the Hart Trophy race, although the same player frequently wins both awards in dominant seasons.
Notable Ted Lindsay Award Winners
Several NHL legends have earned the honor throughout its history, including:
- Wayne Gretzky – 5 wins
- Mario Lemieux
- Sidney Crosby
- Alexander Ovechkin
- Nikita Kucherov
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Connor McDavid
The award has long been viewed as one of hockey’s most prestigious individual achievements because it reflects respect from fellow NHL players.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Ted Lindsay Award further cemented Connor McDavid’s legacy as one of the greatest players of his generation. With a record-tying fifth victory, he joined Wayne Gretzky in elite company while continuing to dominate the NHL scoring race. As an award chosen by players rather than media members, the Ted Lindsay Award remains one of the purest measures of excellence in professional hockey.
Leave a Reply