Flames winger Jarome Iginla, Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin and Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin are the three finalists for the Hart Trophy, as reported by the Canadian Press on Tuesday. The award is given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. RealGM Note: According to our IIC (Ice Impact Counter), Nicklas Lidstrom, Ovechkin and Pavel Datsyuk were the three most productive players in the NHL. Iginla was 7th and Malkin was 8th.

Devils centre John Madden was named a finalist for the Frank Selke Trophy for a fourth time Friday, along with Red Wings forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, as reported by the Canadian Press. The award is given to the forward ?who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.? Madden captured the award in 2000-01 and was runner-up in ?02-03 and ?03-04.

Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk was one of three finalists named for the Lady Byng Trophy on Thursday, as reported by Yahoo.com. The trophy is awarded to the player who has ?exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, combined with a high standard of playing ability.? Along with Datsyuk, Sabres right wing Jason Pominville and Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis were also named finalists.

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews of the Blackhawks were among the three finalists chosen on Wednesday for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL?s top rookie, as reported by Yahoo.com. Also nominated was the Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom. The winner will be announced during the NHL awards show in Toronto on June 12. Kane and Toews helped revitalize Chicago?s struggling franchise as the Blackhawks remained in playoff contention until the final days of the season.

Five-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom was one of three finalists named for the 2008 award Tuesday, as reported by ESPN.com. Along with the Red Wings defenseman, the Bruins' Zdeno Chara and the Flames' Dion Phaneuf also are finalists for the award that goes to the NHL's top defenseman.

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation announced today that Phoenix Coyotes' prospect Kevin Porter, a senior at the University of Michigan, has won the 2008 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey?s top player. Porter, 22, ranks 2nd in Division I scoring with 33-30-63 in 43 games. The Michigan captain finished his collegiate career with 85-98-183 and 115 penalty minutes (PIM) in 162 games. Porter was selected by the Coyotes in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2004 Entry Draft. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound forward was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Player of the Year and was a finalist for the league's Best Defensive Forward award. The Northville, Michigan native was also a First Team CCHA member and was named the Hockey Commissioners' January National Player of the Month. During the East Regional of this year?s NCAA Men?s Ice Hockey Championship, Porter scored an NCAA-record four goals in the Wolverines' 5-1 win against Niagara in the semifinal. He then added a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over Clarkson as Michigan advanced to the Frozen Four for the 23rd time in school history. Porter was named to the 2007 CCHA Second Team following his junior season. He also captained Team USA at the 2006 World Junior Championships and represented the United States at the 2005 World Junior Championships. In addition, Porter played for Team USA at the 2003 and 2004 Under-18 World Championships. To be considered for the Hobey Baker Award, candidates must exhibit strength of character both on and off the ice and must contribute to the integrity of the team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game. Consideration is also given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship. In addition, candidates must comply with all NCAA rules. The Hobey Baker winner is chosen by the Hobey Baker Selection Committee, a group of coaches, scouts, media, and a representative from USA Hockey.

Chris Chelios was on the ice for his 248th playoff game, breaking the NHL record set by Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, as reported by the Associated Press. The defenseman played Saturday for the Red Wings against the Predators in Game 2 of the first-round series. He is making his 23rd postseason appearance, extending his own mark.

Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals made the final day of the NHL?s regular season a little anticlimactic Sunday. Once the Capitals completed their stirring comeback from oblivion to the Southeast Division title on Saturday night, all that was left on the last day was some housekeeping and seed switching. The 16 playoff teams were all decided when the Capitals beat the Panthers at home. That got Washington into the postseason party for the first time since 2003 and eliminated the Hurricanes, the team that led the Southeast most of the season. Ovechkin, on the strength of his league-high 65 goals?the most since Mario Lemieux scored 69 in 1996?won the NHL scoring title with 112 points, as reported by the Associated Press.

Keith Tkachuk took the shot from beyond center ice toward an empty net. One ?lucky bounce? later, his entire team was swarming him. Tkachuk became the 41st player in NHL history to score 500 goals, and added an assist to help the Blues beat the Blue Jackets 4-1 on Sunday in the season finale for both teams, as reported by the Associated Press.

Los Angeles Kings prospect Teddy Purcell, currently playing with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL), was today named the AHL?s Rookie of the Year. As voted by the AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league?s 29 member cities, the right wing is the winner of the Dudley ?Red? Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL?s outstanding rookie for the 2007-08 season. He currently leads all AHL rookie forwards with 55 assists and 77 points in 64 games. ?This is a great honor for a young hockey player who continues to make great strides as a professional,? said Kings Assistant General Manager/Monarchs General Manager Ron Hextall, who himself earned the same award during the 1985-86 season. ?We congratulate Teddy and the entire Monarchs organization on this prestigious honor.? Purcell, a 6-3, 177-pound native of St. John?s, Newfoundland, was named to the league?s All-Rookie Team on Wednesday and was selected a First Team AHL All-Star on Thursday. With 10 days remaining in the regular season, he leads the Monarchs in scoring (22-55=77). Purcell was the recipient of the Rbk Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month award in November, when he recorded 17 points in 12 games. He was then voted to the starting lineup for the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Reebok, and went on to win game MVP honors with a hat trick plus the decisive shootout goal in the Canadian team?s 9-8 victory over PlanetUSA. Purcell signed with the Kings following a standout freshman season at the University of Maine in 2006-07, when he was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year and helped the Black Bears reach the NCAA?s Frozen Four. Purcell made his NHL debut with the Kings on January 15, 2008, and recorded one goal and two assists in 10 games with the Kings. Current Kings forward Patrick O?Sullivan won the award in 2006.