I'm a day late on this one, but I've also done a bit of analysis on defensive forwards already. I didn't pick them this way, but I've got few qualms with this year's nominees:

Once again, Datsyuk is a finalist for the Selke Award, along with Philadelphia Flyers center Mike Richards and Vancouver Canucks center/right winger Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks. All three have excellent credentials and define the concept "hard to play against."

Kesler and Richards leave opponents bruised and battered, while Datsyuk leaves them feeling they've had their pocket picked. All three are team leaders. Richards is captain of the Flyers, while Datsyuk and Kesler are alternate captains.

Here was my ballot, which had all three of these fellows on it:

1. Mike Richards, Philadelphia
2. Mikko Koivu, Minnesota
3. Joe Pavelski, San Jose
4. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
5. Ryan Kesler, Vancouver

I believe Richards will win this season, but Datsyuk is likely a close second despite the fact the Red Wings as a whole had a poor season in terms of goals against. And I bet Kesler wins one in the next handful of years.

UPDATE Tom Benjamin has more on Kesler's nomination.