Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov has been honored with the Ted Lindsay Award for the 2025 season, recognizing him as the league’s most outstanding player, as determined by his fellow peers, the NHL revealed on Wednesday. This marks Kucherov’s second time receiving this accolade, having first won it six years ago during the 2018-19 season, when he dominated the league with an impressive 128 points and led in assists with 87.
This year, Kucherov was the singular player to be a finalist for both the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Trophy, which is awarded by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. He outperformed notable competitors, such as Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar of the Avalanche, to secure the Lindsay Award.
Kucherov, who turns 32 this week, adds this distinction to his already stellar resume, enhancing his case for the Hockey Hall of Fame. He continues to display exceptional performance, having just claimed back-to-back league scoring titles, along with the Art Ross Trophy in 2019. Notably, he becomes part of an elite group, becoming the 12th player in NHL history to win multiple Lindsay Awards, joining icons such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Alex Ovechkin among current active players.
In this season, Kucherov led the league with 121 points and recorded 84 assists, marking him as only the fourth player in history to achieve three consecutive seasons with at least 80 assists. His contributions also included leading the league in points per game (1.55), primary assists (56), power-play points (46), and power-play assists (38). Across the season, he averaged 21:11 minutes of ice time per game, underscoring his vital role in the Lightning’s success and making a strong argument for his place among hockey’s elite.
This recognition not only cements Kucherov’s legacy within the league but also highlights the caliber of talent present in the NHL, providing fans with an exciting glimpse into the future of the sport as players continue to redefine excellence on the ice.