Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs did not make the cut for the Hart Memorial Trophy on Tuesday (May 7) but was named a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award on Wednesday (May 8). The competition for the NHL’s top awards was fierce in 2023-24, with several worthy candidates, so there were bound to be some head-scratching omissions. Despite being among the snubs for the Hart Trophy, Matthews’ inclusion in the Ted Lindsay Award chase, with Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon, is much more significant than a mere consolation prize.
Matthews Gains Recognition From His Peers
The Ted Lindsay Award is presented annually to the NHL’s most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by members of the NHL Players Association (NHLPA). Matthews won the award and the Hart Trophy following the 2021-22 campaign. He registered 60 goals and 106 points in 73 games that season. During his acceptance speech, he said: “I can’t tell you guys enough how humbling it is to win this award named after the late Ted Lindsay. … It just means a lot to be recognized by my fellow peers and the guys I compete against every single night.”
Scoring at the incredible rate he has since entering the league is a remarkable achievement. Since his rookie campaign in 2016-17, he has netted an impressive 368 goals in 562 contests. The 26-year-old centre has registered 30-plus goals in every one of his first eight seasons. He established a career-high 69 markers in 2023-24, winning his third Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal scorer. Matthews has captured the NHL’s goal-scoring title in three of the past four seasons.
The last player to score 69 goals in a single season was Pittsburgh Penguins great Mario Lemieux in 1995-96. Matthews also became the new leader among active NHL players for goals in a single campaign, surpassing Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin’s total of 65 from 2007-08. The players know how difficult scoring can be, so Matthews being recognized for his accomplishments is the ultimate display of respect.
Matthews’ Hart Trophy Snub Wasn’t That Surprising
The three finalists for the Hart Trophy were Kucherov, MacKinnon, and Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid. They are all tremendously qualified to win the award, which goes annually to the NHL player…
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