It's not very often that you see two players from the same organization in the finalist announcement for individual accolades. This year, the Colorado Avalanche put on a season that defied the odds. With injuries galore, player droughts, worries in the crease, the Avalanche seemingly dealt with every issue under the sun. Yet, two players found a way to shine bright: Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon.

What is the Ted Lindsay Award?

Formerly the Lester B. Pearson Award, named after the Canadian Prime Minister at the time of its introduction, this accolade is awarded to the most outstanding player in a given season, as voted on by the NHL Players Association. 

It was first awarded following the 1970-71 season to Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins. Wayne Gretzky (5), Mario Lemieux (4), and Connor McDavid (4) are the most decorated regarding this particular accolade.

Later reintroduced as the Ted Lindsay Award, this award remains the only NHL accolade to be solely voted on by players.

Ted Lindsay, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966, accumulated 851 points in 1,068 games played. 

A Season to Remember

Nathan MacKinnon secured two individual accolades for himself during the 2023-24 season: the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award. If he wins, this will be the 9th time a player has won the award in at least two consecutive seasons.

In 79 games played this season, MacKinnon has tallied 116 points (32 goals/84 assists) and recorded a +25. 9 power play goals, 5 game-winning goals, all with an average of 22:47 minutes of ice time per game. His speed and level of compete are unmatched by most in the league. 

Cale Makar also sits among MacKinnon and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov as a finalist. This is his first year earning a nomination for the award.

Makar had quite a season for the record books, becoming the first defenseman since Mike Greene in the 2008-09 season to score 30 goals in a single season. He became just the ninth defenseman to do so.

The Colorado Avalanche Clinch Eighth Consecutive Playoff Berth After Resounding Win in Columbus At the end of the 2016-17 season, the Colorado Avalanche finished dead last in a 30-team league, with a record of 22-56-4 and a total of 48 points.

In 80 regular-season games played, the Calgary, Alberta native recorded 92 points (30 goals/62 assists) and put on a +28 season with an average of 25:43 of ice time per game. Makar trailed only MacKinnon for the team lead in goals, assists, and points this season.