96warrior 11 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=36164...mp;service=page Selke candidates contribute at both ends Dan Rosen | NHL.com Staff Writer Apr 25, 2008, 11:45 AM EDT Between the three of them they scored 94 goals and dished out 138 assists. That's some pretty decent offense for a trio of forwards being recognized for their defensive prowess. Than again, in Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and John Madden, the three candidates for this year's Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the League's best defensive forward, you have three of the best two-way players in the game. Datsyuk and Zetterberg have been known to lift the Detroit Red Wings with their offense, but that offense often is created by their near-flawless defense — which, most of the time, comes at the expense of the opposition's top line. Madden is well-known as the New Jersey Devils' best shut-down forward and one of the best faceoff men on the planet. He is familiar with the Selke Trophy — he won it in 2001 and finished second in the voting in 2003 and 2004. Datsyuk, a two-time Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner, and Zetterberg never have been Selke finalists. Odds are this won't be their last nomination. Now let's break down their candidacy: Pavel Datsyuk ( Highlights) Of all the masterful numbers Datsyuk put up this season — and there were plenty of them — the two that stand out are his 144 takeaways, by far the most by anyone in the National Hockey League, and his League-best plus-41 rating. This isn't to discredit his career-high 31 goals, including 10 on the power play and six game-winners, or his career-high 66 assists for a career-best 97 points, but most of those are due in large part to Datsyuk's remarkable defense. Few players in the NHL can be as sneaky-good as Datsyuk. He has a tendency to trail the puck down the ice and wait for that one moment when he realizes his out-of-sight technique has made the rushing forward forget about him. He then pick-pockets the player and takes off the other way on a breakaway or odd-man rush. The best part of Datsyuk's technique is he does it within the rules of the game. There's no hacking or whacking with his stick. He's like a snake, a silent predator, and before the rushing forward realizes it, he's the one falling behind in his backcheck. Datsyuk also kept up his prowess in the faceoff circle by winning 453 of his 833 draws, which equates to better than 54 percent. He won better than 56 percent of his 845 faceoffs last season. Datsyuk also played a major role on the Red Wings' penalty-kill, averaging 1:47 of shorthanded ice time per game. He hardly ever hurt his team either, committing just 10 minor penalties for 20 minutes in the box. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said of Datsyuk: "He's got the puck on a string. He's great offensively. He's great defensively. And our team wins. To me, being the best player means your team wins." Henrik Zetterberg ( Highlights) Like Datsyuk, Zetterberg generates his offense from his phenomenal defense. When Babcock puts these two together on a line, they're so dangerous no matter where they are on the ice. Zetterberg also put up career-bests in goals (43), assists (49) and points (92). However, the numbers that have has earned him the Selke nomination were his plus-30 rating, 666 faceoff wins and 53 takeaways. Zetterberg has gone from a 46-percent winner in the faceoff circle as a rookie to a 55-percent winner five seasons later. He went from taking only 401 draws in 2002-03 to 1,210 this season, and the time he spends in the circle now is a tribute to his prowess and work ethic. Like Datsyuk, Zetterberg was a key component of the Red Wings' penalty-kill; he averaged 2:09 of shorthanded ice time per game. Also like Datsyuk, he rarely hurt his team with penalties: He committed only 17 minors for 34 minutes in the box. "He's as good a two-way hockey player as there is in the League, and he might very well be the best," Babcock said of Zetterberg. "We match him up every night. He's a will guy. In the end, he's more determined than you and he's going to win out. That's a good thing to have. He competes on a daily basis to be the best player on our team. If you can be the best player on our team, you're going to be one of the best players in the National Hockey League." John Madden ( Highlights) The former Selke winner again spent the majority of his ice time as the center on the Devils' checking line, matched up against the other team's best forwards every night. And once again he had a masterful season, even contributing more offensively than ever before. John is one of those guys that since Day 1 have played extremely well for this team. He's done everything that I've asked a player to do. - Devils head coach, Brent Sutter Madden scored 20 goals for only the second time in his eight-year career. His 23 assists tied a career high, and his 43 points were a career best. After playing to a minus-7 rating a season ago, Madden was a plus-1 this season, no small feat on a team that didn't score much. Madden's doggedness again showed up in the faceoff circle, where he had one of the best season's of any center. He won 786 draws, sixth-most in the NHL and good for a 53.7 winning percentage (786 of 1,463). He also had 76 takeaways, which was fifth in the NHL and bested Zach Parise for most on the Devils by 31. As per usual, Madden was the Devils' most important penalty killer. He logged 3:35 of shorthanded ice time per game to lead New Jersey's forwards, and also registered four shorthanded points — three goals and an assist. "John is one of those guys that since Day 1 have played extremely well for this team," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "He's done everything that I've asked a player to do." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner 6 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Datsyuk wins!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings56 1 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 FINALLY! DATSYUK IS GETTING RECOGNIZED EVERYONE KNOWS that Hank is great defensively and now Pavel is getting credit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seeinred 1,488 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 A lot of times teammates end up splitting votes, so we'll see. I don't care which one of Hank or Pavs wins it, I just want one of them to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Incredible. Trivia: When was the last time two Wings were nominated for the same NHL award? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Honestly Im surprised. Usually the voters for the Selke award are clueless and Datsyuk's defensive play has only been getting some talk around the league this season more or less. Usually it takes them more than a season to catch on to someones abilities. I really didnt think hed be nominated. That said, I wouldnt be surprised if Madden is the winner here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 A lot of times teammates end up splitting votes, so we'll see. I don't care which one of Hank or Pavs wins it, I just want one of them to. Although it would be pretty sick to see Datsyuk go home with the Byng, the Selke, the Conn Smythe, and the Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lollipop 8 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 So incredible! I'm so happy for them both. If either of them win, I'd be retardedly excited. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HenrikRules40 14 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Unbelievable! I mean, they both deserve it. Why am I so shocked that they were nominated???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yellowknife Redwing 57 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Incredible. Trivia: When was the last time two Wings were nominated for the same NHL award? Coffey and Lids in 94/95? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David 2 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Although it would be pretty sick to see Datsyuk go home with the Byng, the Selke, the Conn Smythe, and the Cup. That would be absolutely amazing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings_Dynasty 267 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 I thought one of them would be nominated. THIS IS AWESOME!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 I have to think Madden wins it... he is the more traditional option and Datsyuk and Zetterberg will split votes. I think if it was say... Datsyuk, Sharp and Madden - Datsyuk would run away with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstarsingh 23 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 This is great. We all saw it coming but its awesome. They are the best two way players in the NHL and I would not want anyone in the league over these two. Interesting to see who this one goes to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 So now what about all of the posters who said he wouldn't even get nominated?? Bueller anyone Bueller!!!!! And for those of you who think it is childish that I point out others posts like this, good, I am trying to make a point to those people that they aren't the all knowing hockey gods they think they are!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jenova0 0 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Coffey and Lids in 94/95? Lids & Cheli were both nominated for the Norris in 2002. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Although it would be pretty sick to see Datsyuk go home with the Byng, the Selke, the Conn Smythe, and the Cup. 2002 Lidstroms goes home with the Norris, the Conn Smyth and the Cup. Deja vu all over again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 I have to think Madden wins it... he is the more traditional option and Datsyuk and Zetterberg will split votes. I think if it was say... Datsyuk, Sharp and Madden - Datsyuk would run away with it. No way, read the article. Dats has better numbers than Hank or Madden in all catagories - take aways, goals, points, and +/- and it isn't even close. Dats led the entire leagaue in take-aways and +/-. If the numbers were even close maybe but they are so far apart that they should have skipped naming the 3 finalists and just give the thing to Dats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daniel1 32 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 Nice season this 07-08 could turn out to be for our hardworking team: Red Wings - Presidents Trophy Red Wings - Conference Champs Red Wings - Stanley Cup Datsyuk - Con Smythe Lidstrom - Norris Datsyuk - Selke Datsyuk - Lady Byng Chelios - Masterson Trophy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ontario Wingsfan 0 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 It's a shame one of them has to lose (unless it's a tie lol) but it's great to see them both get some recognition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Selke13 0 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 about time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 What's even more nuts than both of them getting the nomination is that this is only Zetterberg's first Selke nod. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 No way, read the article. Dats has better numbers than Hank or Madden in all catagories - take aways, goals, points, and +/- and it isn't even close. Dats led the entire leagaue in take-aways and +/-. If the numbers were even close maybe but they are so far apart that they should have skipped naming the 3 finalists and just give the thing to Dats. I agree... Datsyuk deserves it. But there are a lot of people out there who think this award should not go to someone who can manage over 20 goals and 40 pts. That playing offense effectively somehow negates your defensive skills. So all those people will vote for Madden, while the rest might be splitting votes between the two Red Wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruiser008 37 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 This is awesome news! I think both Dats and Z deserve their nominations. I'd go with Datsyuk if I had to choose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shanny is the man 0 Report post Posted April 25, 2008 I agree... Datsyuk deserves it. But there are a lot of people out there who think this award should not go to someone who can manage over 20 goals and 40 pts. That playing offense effectively somehow negates your defensive skills. So all those people will vote for Madden, while the rest might be splitting votes between the two Red Wings. Check out the Selke thread on HFboards' NHL Talk page. There's some posters seriously arguing many dubious points about Dats and Hank both being nominated at all -- that they "don't shutdown the opposition's top line" are just good two-way players, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
