The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today that centre Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, centre Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks and centre Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers have been nominated as finalists for the 2013-14 Ted Lindsay Award, given to the “Most Outstanding Player” in the NHL, as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.

It’s also our most Canadian-centric award, as the press release spells it “centre."

This is essentially what half the Hart Trophy voters think they’re voting for, which is a stats-based award bestowed upon the League’ top player without concern for context. It’s often sold as the “Players’ MVP,” but it’s really not, although 14 players have swept the Hart and Lindsay (most recently Evgeni Malkin in 2012).

Who wins the Lindsay? Glad you asked.

Why Sidney Crosby Deserves The Lindsay

From the NHLPA:

Sidney Crosby, of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, played 80 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2013-14 regular season, and helped lead the Penguins to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. He won his second Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points (104), while he finished first in assists (68), third in faceoffs won (991), first in points per game (1.30), first in even strength points (66) and led all forwards in average ice time per game (21:58). This marks seven out of the last eight seasons that a Penguins player has been nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award. Crosby is vying for his second consecutive and third career “Most Outstanding Player” award (2006-07, 2012-13). He was a finalist in 2009-10.

As the only 100-point player in the NHL this season, it’s hard to imagine him not winning his third “most outstanding player” award.

Why Ryan Getzlaf Deserves The Lindsay

From the NHLPA:

Ryan Getzlaf, of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, played 77 games for the Anaheim Ducks during the 2013-14 regular season, and helped lead the Ducks to the best record in the Western Conference. He finished second in the league in points (87), scoring a career-high 31 goals, and placed third in points per game (1.13) and fifth in assists (56). He also finished the season with a +28 rating, the second-best plus-minus of his career. He is the second Ducks player in the last four seasons to be nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award, after teammate Corey Perry was a finalist in 2010-11. As a first-time nominee, Getzlaf is looking to become the first Ducks player to receive the “Most Outstanding Player” award.

Outstanding numbers, but can one give the award for “best career year” rather than “most outstanding season” in the NHL?

Why Claude Giroux Deserves The Lindsay

From the NHLPA:

Claude Giroux, of Hearst, Ontario, Canada, played in all 82 regular season games for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2013-14. He placed third in the league in points (86), fourth in assists (58), second in power-play assists (30) and fourth in faceoffs won (931). For the fourth consecutive season, Giroux led all Flyers players in assists and points. His 28 goals equaled a career high, and he helped lead the Flyers to the club’s sixth playoff appearance in the last seven seasons, after a slow start to the season. Giroux is seeking to receive the Ted Lindsay Award as a first-time nominee, and he would become the first Flyers player to receive the Award since Eric Lindros in 1994-95.

So, yeah, the top three point scorers in the NHL are the three finalists for the award.

Who Wins The Lindsay?

Crosby, easy. Just simply the best offensive season in the NHL this year. If it was an award given to the player that most elevated his game to an “outstanding” level, Getzlaf might have a case. Then again, so would Joe Pavelski, who bested his previous career high by 10 goals by potting 41. Whoops, silly us: He’s an American player in California, and really, that’s never going to happen.