Josi is seeking his first TLA as a first-time finalist, while McDavid is looking to receive his second consecutive and fourth TLA in six seasons, and Matthews is vying for his first TLA after finishing as a finalist last season. Each of the three finalists contributed exceptional individual seasons to help their respective teams reach the playoffs - Josi led all defencemen in points, McDavid captured his fourth Art Ross Trophy and Matthews won his second Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Earlier this week, Josi was also announced as a finalist for the James Norris Trophy, and Matthews and McDavid were each named finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy.
The 2021-22 TLA recipient will be announced later this spring during the Stanley Cup Playoffs (exact date TBD). Formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, the TLA is the namesake of the first president of the original Players' Association and NHLPA pioneer, Ted Lindsay. This season marks the 51st presentation of the award.
The three TLA finalists received the most votes from their fellow players based on their 2021-22 regular-season campaigns:
ROMAN JOSI, Nashville Predators
Josi played in 80 of Nashville's 82 regular-season games during the 2021-22 season to help the Predators to their eighth consecutive playoff appearance. He scored 96 points to set a franchise record in the category and a single-season record for points recorded by a European defenceman, while he led both the Predators and NHL defencemen in assists (73) and shots (281). Among league blueliners, he ranked first in even-strength points (59), power-play goals (11), points per game (1.20), multi-point games (26) and primary assists (36), and he finished second in goals (23) and power-play points (37). The 31-year-old native of Bern, Switzerland, placed fourth in the league in total ice time (2,044:21), averaging 25:33 TOI/GP. Josi is only the third defenceman in 22 years to be voted a finalist (Brent Burns, 2016-17; and Chris Pronger, 1999-00). He is also the first TLA finalist in Nashville's franchise history. Josi is looking to follow Bobby Orr (1974-75) as only the second defenceman to receive the TLA.
About the Ted Lindsay Award:
The Ted Lindsay Award is unique as the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established with the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1970-71. NHLPA members annually vote on the player they deem to be the most outstanding in the NHL regular season. Reintroduced in 2009-10 as the namesake of the late Ted Lindsay - the Ted Lindsay Award honours his legacy as a Hall of Fame forward known for skill, tenacity, leadership and his role in establishing the original Players' Association. For more information on the TLA, visit
NHLPA.com
. Join the conversation by using #TedLindsayAward.
