Kucherov’s Surprise: Ted Lindsay Award Win Comes After Teammate Prank
The Setup: A Prank Gone Awry
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov, a right wing, inadvertently disrupted his teammates’ plans, leading to an unexpected and memorable Ted Lindsay Award presentation [[1]].
Did You Know? The Ted Lindsay Award, formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, is the only NHL award voted on by the players themselves, recognizing the “most outstanding player” in the league.
The original scheme involved Kucherov’s teammates surprising him with the trophy after his daily skate at their Brandon, Florida, practice facility. However, Kucherov had othre plans that day.
The surprise almost failed when Kucherov decided to skip his usual skate. Tampa Bay captain Victor Hedman explained the scramble:
We had to put him in the sauna for 25 minutes and the cold tub and prolong it so everyone could make it in time.
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning Captain
Stalling Tactics and a Confused Kucherov
To buy more time, General Manager Julien BriseBois called Hedman into his office and then told Kucherov the team might fly him to Los Angeles for the NHL Awards or fly the trophy here.
A confused Kucherov responded by asking BriseBois, What trophy?
BriseBois quickly corrected himself, saying, If you win one.
Pro Tip: Always be prepared for unexpected situations. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, so having backup strategies is crucial.
Despite the near-miss, the teammates managed to pull off the surprise. When Kucherov entered the next room, his teammates were ready, and Hedman presented him with the Ted Lindsay Award.
Hedman shared his satisfaction, saying, It was a great feeling to see how surprised he was.
Kucherov, clearly touched, thanked his teammates, stating, It really means a lot to me.
Kucherov’s Dominance: A Season to Remember
Kucherov’s outstanding performance this season solidified his place among the NHL’s elite. Key highlights include:
- Leading the NHL with 121 points (37 goals, 84 assists) in 78 games.
- Winning the Art Ross Trophy as the League leader in points.
- Leading the NHL in power-play points with 46 (eight goals, 38 assists).
- Tying for third in game-winning goals with nine.
- Maintaining a plus-22 rating.
- Recording at least one point in 65 games.
- Achieving 33 multipoint games, including 17 with at least three points.
This marks the third consecutive season Kucherov has surpassed 110 points, with 113 (30 goals, 83 assists) two seasons ago and an impressive 144 points (44 goals, 100 assists) last season. In 2018-19, he tallied 128 points (41 goals, 87 assists) and won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.
Did You Know? Kucherov’s contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning is for 8 years, totaling $76 million, with an annual cap hit of $9.5 million. The contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season [[2]].
Looking Ahead: Hart Trophy Nomination
Kucherov, who finished second in Hart Trophy voting last season, is once again a finalist for the prestigious award. He is competing against Edmonton Oilers forward leon Draisaitl and Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
The Hart Trophy winner will be revealed at the 2025 NHL Awards on June 12, preceding Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
FAQ: Nikita Kucherov’s Accolades and Achievements
- what is the Ted Lindsay Award?
- an award presented annually to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL, as voted by fellow members of the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA).
- How many times has Kucherov won the Ted Lindsay Award?
- This is Kucherov’s second time winning the award, the first being in 2018-19.
- What other awards has Kucherov won?
- He has also won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy.
- When does Kucherov’s contract expire?
- His contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning expires at the end of the 2026-27 season [[2]].
