The National Hockey League officially announced Nikita Kucherov to be the winner of the 2024-2025 Ted Lindsay Award, which is awarded to the player who has provided the most prominent outstanding play throughout the regular season.
During the 2024-2025 NHL regular season, Kucherov led all skaters with 121 points. His 121 points are composed of 37 goals, and 84 assists. As a result, his league leading campaign also earned him the coveted Art Ross trophy.
Kucherov is no stranger to regular season accolades. For Kucherov, his latest victory marks the second time in his prestigious career that he has earned the Ted Lindsay Award. The Lightning forward’s trophy case now consists of three Art Ross Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards, one Hart Trophy, and two Stanley Cups. Kucherov is certainly making his bid as not only one of the most impressive players that the Tampa Bay Lightning have ever seen, but also one of the most entertaining players the entire hockey world has ever seen as well.
With the Ted Lindsay Award officially secured, Kucherov is still listed as per the National Hockey League as a finalist for the Hart Trophy, annually given to the player deemed most valuable to his team. Should Kucherov win the Hart Trophy, it will mark the second time in his career as per the NHL that he has won the Art Ross Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and Hart Trophy all in one season.
Kucherov’s offensive prowess is elite beyond a reasonable doubt. The way he dominates the game of hockey is truly a gift for hockey fans to watch. What Lightning fans are seeing from Nikita Kucherov is genuinely historic. When it is all said and done, Kucherov may finish his National Hockey League career as one of the most dominant players the Tampa Bay Lighting have ever had in their franchise history. It would not be surprising for Bolts fans to see #86 retired in the rafters of Amalie Arena when Kucherov decides to eventually hang up his skates once and for all.
His latest Ted Lindsay win is a testament to the skill, diligence, and effort he provides in a Lightning sweater. While a Ted Lindsay win is quite the achievement worthy of praise, Kucherov is looking for a bigger trophy next season. The Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal and Kucherov will not be taking his foot off the gas pedal anytime soon. Thankfully, PuckPedia reports Kucherov as being under contract with the Lightning until the 2026-2027 season. In other words: Nikita Kucherov is not going anywhere. He will stay with Tampa Bay until further notice on a quest to reach the Stanley Cup once again.
Moving forward, look for Kucherov to be a viable contender and hopeful winner of the Hart trophy this offseason.