Draisaitl, Mackinnon and Panarin finalists for Ted Lindsay Award

Edmonton Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl, Colorado Avalanche star Nathan Mackinnon and New York Rangers left winger Artemi Panarin were named finalists for the 2019-20 Ted Lindsay Award on Tuesday.

The trophy, which was formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the league as voted by the members of the NHL Players’ Association. The winner will be announced during the conference finals and Stanley Cup final.

All three players are seeking their first Ted Lindsay Award. Mackinnon was a finalist in 2017-18, while this is the first nomination for both Draisaitl and Panarin.

Draisaitl, 24, won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’S leading scorer with 110 points ( 43 goals, 67 assists) in 71 games. The Oilers centre led the NHL in points per game ( 1.55), assists ( 67), power- play points ( 44) and average ice time among forwards ( 22: 37). He tied

Boston Bruins star forward David Pastrnak for first in game-winning goals (10).

Mackinnon, 24, led the Avalanche in goals ( 35) and points ( 93) in 69 games. He finished fifth in the NHL points race, third in evenstrength points ( 62) and fourth in power- play points (31).

Panarin, 28, led all NHL players in even- strength points (71), tied for second in assists (63) and tied for third in scoring with 95 points in 69 games. Panarin’s point total was 20 more than the Rangers’ next leading scorer (Mika Zibanejad, 75).