Nathan MacKinnon snubbed as a finalist for major NHL award

Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon won’t win the Ted Lindsay Award this season.

In fact, he’s been snubbed, not even a finalist for the honor.

The NHL announced on Tuesday that the three finalists are Macklin Celebrini of the Sharks, Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning and Connor McDavid of the Oilers.

The Lindsay isn’t the NHL MVP (that’s the Hart Trophy), but is given to the league’s top player in the eyes of fellow players.

The Ted Lindsay Award finalists are here! 🏆 #NHLAwards

The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA. pic.twitter.com/Nq7SeY7SDK

— NHL (@NHL) April 28, 2026

Celebrini, Kucherov and McDavid all had great seasons, but Nathan MacKinnon not even being a finalist is a little bizarre.

He led the NHL in goals with 53, winning the Rocket Richard Trophy, and was third in points with 127. MacKinnon won the Lindsay Award in 2024 — the same year he also took home his first Hart.

He and fellow star Cale Makar were both finalists a year ago but the honor went to Kucherov for the second time in his career.

Ultimately there are much more important trophies out there that MacKinnon will try to snag. That starts with the Stanley Cup, followed by the Conn Smythe and Hart as well.

The Lindsay is special though because it’s determined by the guys competing against each other on the ice. For MacKinnon not to make the top-3 after the regular season he had is strange.

But again, there are bigger goals out there for both Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche. Maybe this is a little fuel to the fire as the playoffs roll on.

Colorado is currently in Round 2, waiting to see who their next opponent will be after sweeping the Los Angeles Kings.

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