We officially kickoff the offseason with the NHL Awards Show tonight. The Colorado Avalanche had three awards up for grabs for two players. The Hart Memorial Trophy (league MVP), Ted Lindsay Award (MVP voted by players) and the James Norris Memorial Trophy (best overall defenseman). Besides having to sit through a horrible hour of “comedy,” the Avalanche fared well in the awards for the night.
MacKinnon wins Hart Memorial Trophy
Nathan MacKinnon has finally won the Hart Memorial Trophy. This season, MacKinnon went up against the likes of Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid. This was the fifth time that MacKinnon received the nomination as the most valuable player in the league. MacKinnon set a career high in assists with 89 and demolished his season high in points with 140. This would break a franchise record set by Peter Stastny in 1981–82 season with 139 points. The Colorado center would add 14 points in his 11 playoff appearances. He is the third Avalanche player to win the award after Joe Sakic in 2001 and Peter Forsberg in 2003.
Nathan MacKinnon had 140 points, found the scoresheet in an NHL-high 69 games, posted the second-longest home scoring streak in NHL history (35 GP) and was a top-two selection on 184 of 194 Hart Trophy ballots. #NHLAwards#NHLStats: https://t.co/8blbr6gjLm pic.twitter.com/PWDXrcasJl
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 27, 2024
MacKinnon wins Ted Lindsay
Not only did the star center from Colorado win the Hart Memorial Trophy, he won the Ted Lindsay Award as well. The players vote and present the award to the league’s MVP. This was the first nomination for MacKinnon in his career. Sakic’s win in 2000-01, when it was known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, made him the second Avalanche player to win the trophy. MacKinnon gave a quick reception speech, thanking his team, the owners and congratulating Andrew Cogliano on his retirement.
Nathan MacKinnon has won the Ted Lindsay Award 🏆 pic.twitter.com/zkXtcQDuR5
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 27, 2024
Makar falls short on the Norris
Despite Cale Makar setting a franchise record for assists by a defenseman in a season (69), his defense fell short. Makar would also break his own single-season record for points by a defenseman, topping out at 90 points. Members of the media felt Makar lacked the overall aspect of his game, which is the qualifier for the award. Makar would finish third in the voting behind Quinn Hughes and Roman Josi.
#Avs Cale Makar finished third in the Norris Trophy voting. pic.twitter.com/uhu85yrkpH
— Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) June 27, 2024
Conclusion
The Hart or the Ted Lindsay are not the Stanley Cup that is for sure. But they are awards that are well deserved for Mackinnon and his 140 point season. He carried the Avalanche through all 82 regular season games and showed what a genuine leader he can be. After being nominated three times prior to this year, the wait was worth it. Fans felt the frustration on the defensive side of things and that could have cost Makar the Norris. One thing is for sure, this will not be his last nomination for the Norris.