Outrage around Connor McDavid ahead of Game 1 in series vs. Vancouver

Earlier on Wednesday, Toronto Maple Leafs superstar centre Auston Matthews , Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov , and Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon were chosen as finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award. The award is given annually to the player deemed to be most outstanding as voted on by the NHLPA.

Once the announcement was made, it did not take long for fans and pundits to react in frustration to the absence of Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid in the ballot. McDavid, who was the third finalist for the Hart trophy earlier this week, just got snubbed in voting by his peers. McDavid took home the Ted Lindsay last season. This is the third time he hasn’t cracked the top three in voting in his caree despite having been nominated six times since he was drafted first overall in 2015 by Edmonton.

On social media, outrage surfaced by the publication from the NHL and NHLPA announcing the Ted Lindsay finalists sans McDavid.

Many fans argue that McDavid, who racked up an impressive 100 assists in a single season, was a main force in turning the 2023-24 season around for Edmonton, getting his team out of the basement of the NHL standings in November. He ended the year third in points with 132, which was behind both Kucherov and MacKinnon, two finalists that made the cut for the Ted Lindsay.

Here are a few reactions from X, formerly known as Twitter, to McDavid’s snub:

While some fans are simply dumbfounded that the Oilers’ superstar isn’t in the mix, others see this as a great opportunity and motivation for McDavid ahead of the first game of the second round series against the Canucks that takes place later today in Vancouver.

I see this as a good thing for the Oilers’ captain who could use this chip on his shoulder and make the Canucks pay.

Recommended articles:

• NHL insider shares update on Oilers' Connor McDavid.
• Kris Knoblauch shares an update on Connor McDavid.
• Connor McDavid announces his status vs. Coyotes
• The latest update on Connor McDavid is out
• Oilers confirm discouraging update on Connor McDavid