Detroit Red Wings' forward Pavel Datsyuk has a chance to pull off a rare double on NHL Awards when the league revealed that he, along with teammate Henrik Zetterberg and the Devils' John Madden are the three finalists for the Frank Selke trophy.
The award is handed out annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. Datsyuk was also nominated for the Lady Byng trophy awarded for sportsmanship and gentlemanly play.
This is Datsyuk's first Selke nomination, the Russian led all NHL players in plus-minus with a career-best +41 rating, topped all NHL forwards with 144 takeaways, 67% more than his nearest rival (Dallas' Mike Modano, 86) and ranked first among Red Wings forwards in blocked shots (42). The Red Wings posted the top defensive record in the NHL with 184 goals-against.
Teammate Zetterberg also received his first nomination for the Selke. The Swede led Red Wings forwards in average ice time per game (22:04) and ranked second to Datsyuk among Detroit forwards in plus-minus with a +30 rating. Zetterberg led the Red Wings in face-offs taken (1,210) and was second on the club to Kris Draper in face-off winning percentage (55.0%).
This is John Madden' fourth Selke nomination; he captured the award in 2000-01 and was runner-up in 2002-03 and 2003-04. Madden led Devils forwards in shorthanded goals (three), average ice time per game (19:26) and average shorthanded minutes per game (3:35). He ranked
seventh among NHL forwards in face-offs taken with 1,463 and posted a 53.7% face-off winning percentage. The Devils posted the top defensive record in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the NHL overall with 197
goals-against.
The winner will be announced Thursday, June 12 during the 2008 NHL Awards Television Special in Toronto.