TORONTO — Being recognized by other players is the biggest honour for Henrik Sedin.
The smooth skating, high-scoring Vancouver Canucks centre is a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award along with Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin.
The award is given to the most outstanding player as voted on by members of the NHL Players’ Association. The same three players are also nominated for the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
“I never thought I would be in discussion of any awards,” Sedin said Thursday in Vancouver. “To get it from the players, it means a lot for sure.”
Sedin became the first Canuck to win the NHL scoring title when he finished with 112 points (29 goals, 83 assists) this season. He helped lead Vancouver to a 49-28-5 record and its third Northwest Division championship in four years.
The red-haired Swede has a chance to become the second Canuck to win the award. Countryman Markus Naslund won in 2003.
Ovechkin tied Crosby for second in scoring with 109 points (50 goals, 59 assists) and was a plus-45 despite missing 10 games. He guided the Capitals (54-15-13) to the best record in the league.
Crosby established a career high with 51 goals, tying him with Steven Stamkos for the league lead. He added 58 assists while leading Pittsburgh to a 47-27-8 record.
The trophy, formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, was named after Lindsay last week. The longtime Detroit Red Wings forward won four Stanley Cups and was one of the primary driving forces behind the creation of the NHLPA.
The winner will be announced at the NHL awards ceremony in Las Vegas on June 23.