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Wednesday, 22 June 2011 10:00

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

We'll be previewing the seven NHL awards which count throughout the day. (Sorry Lady Byng fans.) Here we'll preview the Frank J. Selke Trophy which goes "to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game." We will also be hosting a live chat for the awards show beginning at 7 p.m. Click here to join the fun.

Pavel Datsyuk, C - Detroit Red Wings (23 goals, 36 assists, 59 points, +11)

Ryan Kesler, C - Vancouver Canucks (41 goals, 32 assists, 73 points, +24)

Jonathan Toews, C - Chicago Blackhawks (32 goals, 44 assists, 76 points, +25)

Who we'd vote for: Kesler. He managed to combine an elite scoring touch with a tenacious shutdown defensive mindset and was one of the best all-around players in the NHL this season. Additionally, he simply did more in shorthanded situations than Datsyuk or Toews. He took more faceoffs (1,653), won more faceoffs (56.7), spent more time on the penalty kill (2:33 per game) and produced more offensive shorthanded (four points). Frankly, we're befuddled how Kesler isn't a finalist for the Hart Trophy.

Who will win: Kesler for the reasons we outlined above.

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