Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk are Hart finalists (MVP)

[Forkboy]

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings -- Datsyuk is the best all-around NHL player. The fourth-leading scorer this season also is bidding for his second-straight Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive player and fourth-straight Lady Byng Trophy as the player who combines the best performance with sportsmanship.

He plays the game the way it should be played. Datsyuk is a dynamic skater, extremely fast going straight-ahead and quick and shifty with his offensive and defensive moves. He takes pucks away from opponents who didn't realize they were in his sights. He converts those turnovers into breakaways and odd-man rushes in every game.
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Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins -- Malkin is a man-child in the NHL, still very much a boy, but a big one at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds. He is just beginning to come into his physical and emotional maturity. That's the reason that Malkin, the No. 2 selection in the 2004 Entry Draft, is in only his third NHL season.

He played his first professional season for his hometown Magnitogorsk team and then stayed another season because he lacked the core body strength to handle the NHL style of play. He developed well under coach Dave King that year, learning a North American style that produced a 33-goal, 85-point rookie season two years ago. He advanced to 47 goals and 106 points last season, when he was sixth in assists and second in points.
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Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals -- If the Hart honored the best player in the League, it would probably go to Ovechkin. But it doesn't, it rewards the most valuable to his team. But Ovechkin has a strong case there, too.

Ovechkin repeated as the winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy by leading the NHL with 56 goals. Alexander Semin, whose hot start was instrumental in the Capitals grabbing control of the division, had 34 and defenseman Mike Green, a finalist for the Norris Trophy, had 31. Ovechkin's 110 points led the Capitals and were second in the NHL. The next nearest Capitals player was Nicklas Backstrom with 88. Semin had 79 and Green had 73.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=420636

[inthebrain]

1. Ovechkin

That guy is one of the few playing today that I can say have success in any era. He's clearly just world class and amazing in all aspects of the game.

SOmetimes I wonder just how much longer he's gonna last. One of those guys you just think is gonna have serious knee, back and hip problems in a few years.

[Forkboy]

2. can't go wrong with any of them

Datsyuk is my favorite of the bunch, but because he's on the best team in hockey it's hard to give it to him. It's not Detroit would have sucked without him.

I think Ovechkin will get it, too.