Colorado Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon Named Finalist for Ted Lindsay Award
The Colorado Avalanche’s best player, Nathan MacKinnon, was named a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, given by the NHLPA to the most outstanding player.
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Colorado Avalanche star center Nathan MacKinnon has been named one of three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award. Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils are also finalists.
The Ted Lindsay Award is voted on by members of the NHL Players’ Association. It’s given to the player whom the NHLPA has judged to be the league’s most outstanding player. It’s the companion award to the Hart Memorial Trophy, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association for the NHL’s most valuable player.
The 22-year-old Nathan MacKinnon finished #5 in the NHL for scoring with 93 points. He set a career high for both goals (39) and points (97). He led all Avalanche players in points, with Mikko Rantanen being second at 84. MacKinnon also averaged 1.31 points per game, which was just below McDavid’s 1.32. Due to injury, MacKinnon played only 74 games.
During his post-season presser, Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic spoke glowingly about Nathan MacKinnon’s play this season. He remarked on the obvious, that Nate elevated his play and that we’re all big fans of his game. Sakic explained that MacKinnon had started working on his focus at the end of last year when he especially worked on winning battles with other teams’ best players. Sakic continued:
"“He’s become a much more complete player, and that’s what I love about his game. You see him when he touches the puck, he’s electrifying. He’s got to be one of the top two or three most exciting players in the game. You want to bring someone to their first hockey game, you want to bring them to watch Nathan MacKinnon play. He’s unbelievable with what he can do with the puck, and the pressure he puts on the other team when he’s skating up through the neutral zone with that high-end speed.”"
MacK is absolutely an electrifying player. Let’s celebrate with one of his beauty goals:
That’s lovely. It was one of six points (3 goals, 3 assists) MacKinnon scored in the playoffs. Oh, and remember, last year’s 48-point Avs made the playoffs this season largely because of Nate.
The 21-year-old Connor McDavid finished at the top of the scoring heap with 108 points (40 goals, 68 assists), which is a career best in goals and points for the third-year player. The Oilers did not make the playoffs.
McDavid played all 82 games. Here was goal #40 for him:
The 26-year-old Taylor Hall finished #6 in the NHL for scoring with 93 points (39 goals, 54 assists), which are all career highs. Hall played only 76 games, but during that time he recorded a 26-game points streak. He was also instrumental in getting his team to the playoffs.
Here’s goal #39 for Hall, a penalty shot:
Only one Avalanche player has previously won the award — Joe Sakic in 2001.
Next: Nathan MacKinnon's Filthy Goal
It should come as no surprise that I believe our Colorado Avalanche homeboy, Nathan MacKinnon, should win the Ted Lindsay Award. As Sakic remarked, he was electrifying to watch every time he touched the puck. However, I’m not going to be surprised if McDavid wins this award.