Benn, Holtby, Kane finalists for Ted Lindsay Award
MVP award as voted by players
Forward Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, goaltender Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals and forward Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks are the three finalists for the 2015-16 Ted Lindsay Award, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) announced Friday.
The award is presented to the most outstanding player in the NHL, as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.
Benn, Holtby and Kane are each seeking their first Ted Lindsay Award, which will be announced on June 22 at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas.
This award is the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established by the Lester B. Pearson Award dating back to 1970-71. It honours Ted Lindsay, an all-star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership, and for his role in establishing the original Players' Association.
Benn played in all 82 regular season games for the Stars in this season and finished second in the league in points (89) and third in goals (41) — both career bests.
He also ranked second in the NHL in points-per-game and tied for second in both power-play goals and power-play points.
Benn set career highs in shooting percentage and average minutes-per-game. He captained the Stars to a first-place finish in the Western Conference and is seeking his first Ted Lindsay Award.
Holtby played in 66 games for the Capitals, helping his team win the Presidents' Trophy for the most regular season points. Holtby posted a career-high in wins (48), setting a franchise record and tying Martin Brodeur's NHL record for most wins in a season.
He finished fifth in goals-against average (2.20) and eighth in save percentage (.922), and he is also a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.
Kane played in all 82 regular season games for Chicago in 2015-16, leading the NHL in points (106) to earn his first Art Ross Trophy.
Kane's totals in goals, assists and points all set career highs as he helped lead the Blackhawks to the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.
Kane — a first-time finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award — is seeking to become the first Blackhawks player and the first U.S.-born player to receive the Award.