Centers Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers were two of the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Trophy, awarded to the most important player in the National Hockey League (NHL) as chosen by circuit players.
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi completed the line.
Already winner of the Maurice-Richard trophy, awarded to top scorer, Matthews achieved personal best in 2021-2022 with 60 goals and 46 assists.
His 60 goals this season are team scores for the Maple Leafs, but also high in the league for a player born in the United States.
McDavid, who won the Art Ross Trophy for the fourth time as the top scorer, also had career highs with 44 goals and 79 assists.
For Josi, he led all NHL defensemen with 96 points. It was the team score and league record for a defender who came from Europe.
Matthews and McDavid were also finalists for the Hart Trophy, presented to the most important player in the NHL. The other candidate is New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
A three -time Lindsay Trophy winner, McDavid may be only the third player in NHL history, after Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, to receive the award at least four times.
Before honoring the career of Lindsay, a former Detroit Red Wings legend, this trophy bore the name of former Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.
The name of the winner will be announced later during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Source: Radio-Canada
