Connor McDavid ties Gretzky for most Ted Lindsay Awards ever
Connor McDavid has won his fifth Ted Lindsay Award, tying Wayne Gretzky for the most player-voted NHL honors ever. The award, voted on entirely by fellow players, is the purest measure of respect in this league — not media, not analytics, just the guys who have to try to stop him every night.
What is the Ted Lindsay Award?
The Ted Lindsay Award goes to the most outstanding player in the NHL, voted on exclusively by members of the NHL Players' Association.
Unlike the Hart Trophy, which is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, the Lindsay is peer-to-peer — the only award in the league where the people who actually play the game decide who wins. The award was renamed in 2010 to honor Ted Lindsay, the Hall of Fame forward known for his physical style and competitive fire. It has been handed out every year since 1970, with Wayne Gretzky holding the record until Tuesday night. Learn more about the award at NHL.com.
Key takeaways
- McDavid won his fifth Ted Lindsay Award, tying Wayne Gretzky for the most ever. - He led the NHL in points this season. - The Oilers had a strong record without Leon Draisaitl, with McDavid putting up significant points in that span. - He posted multiple multi-point games and scored in a majority of contests. - He is now a Hart Trophy finalist.
Not media. Not analytics nerds. The guys who have to try to stop him every single night. And after a season where Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov both put up Hart Trophy-caliber numbers, McDavid still got the most votes. That's not a trend. That's a statement.
Here's the thing: McDavid is in his late twenties.
He's not some kid having a hot streak.
He's a veteran in his 11th season, and he's still getting better at making everyone around him look foolish. He led the league in points this year and did it while carrying Edmonton through a brutal stretch when Leon Draisaitl was hurt. During that time, McDavid put up significant points. The Oilers didn't just survive. They finished second in the Pacific. Sixth straight playoffs. That's not an accident.
But the real kicker is what this award actually says. McDavid himself called it out: the guys you play against, the guys trying to hit you and shut you down every shift. They voted for him anyway. Other forwards had better defensive numbers, more physical presence, whatever edge you want to name. Doesn't matter. They still picked him. When you're in your late twenties, in your 11th season.
And your peers still think you're the best player alive, you've done something almost nobody in hockey history has ever done.
McDavid vs Gretzky: NHL awards record comparison
This is where it gets interesting. Gretzky won his five Lindays in a six-year span, on Edmonton Oilers teams that were stacked beyond belief. McDavid has won his five across an entire decade, on Edmonton teams that have been good but never great enough to close the deal. Mario Lemieux has four. Sidney Crosby has three.
McDavid is now alone with Gretzky at the top, and the circumstances couldn't be more different.
| Player | Ted Lindsay Awards | Years | Context | |---|---|---|---| | Wayne Gretzky | 5 | 1981-82 through 1986-87 | Oilers dynasty, stacked rosters | | Connor McDavid | 5 | 2017-18 through present | Competitive teams, no Cup yet | | Mario Lemieux | 4 | 1987-88 through 1992-93 | Penguin era | | Sidney Crosby | 3 | 2006-07 through 2014-15 | Penguin years |
Gretzky's five came during a dynasty.
McDavid's are spread across years of individual brilliance on rosters that crumbled in the playoffs. That's not nothing. It means McDavid's award count is built on sustained excellence even when his team didn't always follow. When you watch him, you see why. He had multiple multi-point games this season. Several games with four or more points. He scored in a majority of games.
That's not just consistent.
That's robotic, except robots don't have the hands and vision McDavid does.
His point streak during the season was remarkable, showcasing his scoring ability.
That stretch right there tells you everything about why the players keep voting for him.
Hart Trophy and what comes next
McDavid is also a Hart Trophy finalist alongside MacKinnon and Kucherov.
The writers' vote and the players' vote do not always line up. But this year it's hard to argue with either. All three had seasons worth winning.
The real question is whether McDavid can finally close one out. Six straight playoff appearances and no Cup yet. That's the only hole in this resume. His window is not closing, but the clock is loud. The Oilers have been close. Painfully close. And this year feels like the one where everything clicks or falls apart.
Watch how McDavid plays in the first round.
Watch if he takes over games the way he did all season, or if the playoff intensity neutralizes him like it has in past years. If he carries Edmonton deep, this fifth Lindsay will look even better in hindsight. If the Oilers flame out early, it will be the same old story and the same old questions.
Either way, we're watching something special. Five awards from his peers. Tied with Gretzky. The player everyone else still thinks is the best player alive.
Frequently asked questions
How many Ted Lindsay Awards has Connor McDavid won?
McDavid has won five Ted Lindsay Awards, tying Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history.
Who votes for the Ted Lindsay Award?
Members of the NHL Players' Association vote.
It is the only major NHL award decided entirely by the players, not writers or analysts.
What is the difference between the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award?
Both honor the league's most outstanding player. But the Hart Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, while the Ted Lindsay Award is voted on by fellow NHL players. The Lindsay is often seen as the more honest measure of peer respect.
Has McDavid won the Hart Trophy?
McDavid has been a Hart Trophy finalist multiple times in his career, winning the award in several seasons.