Nikita Kucherov wins the Ted Lindsay Award

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov captured the Ted Lindsay Award for the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by his fellow players at the 2019 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

Kucherov becomes the second Lightning player to win the Ted Lindsay, joining Martin St. Louis, who was the 2004 recipient when it was known as the Lester B. Pearson Award. He is the fourth Russian-born player to earn the distinction.
In his acceptance speech, Kucherov thanked all those who helped him win - teammates, coaches, trainers, his wife and son - and had a special thank you to the fans of Tampa Bay.
"You guys are the best in the League," he said. "Love playing for you guys."

Kucherov set Lightning franchise records for assists (87) and scoring (128) during the 2018-19 regular season. His 128 points were the most in the NHL since 1995-96 (Mario Lemieux - 161 pts. Jaromir Jagr - 149 pts.) and the most ever by a Russian-born player.
Kucherov beat out Chicago's Patrick Kane and Edmonton's Connor McDavid for the Ted Lindsay.
Earlier in the ceremony, Kucherov was recognized for winning the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer, finishing the regular season with a 12-point margin over McDavid for the scoring title.
Kucherov is the second Lightning player to win the Art Ross. Martin St. Louis is a two-time winner of the award in 2004 and 2013.