The announcement, confirmed on Sunday, June 7, 2026, sees McDavid become only the second player in NHL history—after Wayne Gretzky—to win the prestigious award five times, which is voted on by fellow NHL Players’ Association members and honors the league’s most outstanding player.
McDavid’s latest triumph adds to his previous wins in 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21, and 2022–23, reinforcing his dominance as one of the greatest players of his generation.
This season, the Oilers superstar delivered another sensational campaign, leading the NHL with 138 points (48 goals and 90 assists) across 82 games, while also producing a remarkable 20-game point streak that underlined his consistency and elite performance level.
McDavid beat strong competition for the award, including Nikita Kucherov and rising star Macklin Celebrini, both of whom were also among the top performers of the season.
Speaking after receiving the honour, McDavid expressed deep appreciation for being recognized by his peers, describing the award as especially meaningful because it comes from “the guys you play against every single night.”
With this achievement, McDavid now stands alongside hockey legend Wayne Gretzky as the only players to ever win the Ted Lindsay Award five times, further cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant forces in modern ice hockey.
As the NHL awards season continues, McDavid is also in contention for the Hart Memorial Trophy, potentially adding yet another major honour to his already decorated career.