Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, who received the link award from his home in German Cologne, also won the Ted Lindsay Award, which is voted on by the players themselves, unlike the Hart Trophy, which is the journalists' award.

In the Hart poll, he won ahead of Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and New York Rangers forward Artemij Panarin.

Fifth in the vote came Draisaitl's teammate Connor McDavid.

The Canadian is seen by many as the world's best ice hockey player, but this season he scored 13 points less than Draisaitl.

- I think that Connor and I have a very healthy and good relationship.

We just try to make each other better every day, says the German.

Edmonton went out in the play-in round in this year's playoffs.

Draisaitl is the second German in the four major American professional leagues to be named the league's most valuable player.

The first was basketball star Dirk Nowitzki, who received a similar award in the 2007 NBA.

Hedman third among the slopes

Winnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck was named best goalkeeper and Jacob Markström was fourth and Robin Lehner sixth.

Best back was Nashville Predator's Swiss Roman Josi with Victor Hedman in third place.

The rookie award went to hill Cale Makar, Colorado.

CLIP: Tampa Bay to Stanley Cup Final

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Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup Final.

Photo: TT News Agency