Flyers captain Richards a finalist for Selke Trophy, to be presented tonight

Flyers captain Mike Richards will be in Las Vegas tonight for the NHL awards ceremony.

Richards is a finalist for the Selke Trophy, given to the top defensive forward. Richards was a plus-22 this season and led the league with seven shorthanded goals.

The other finalists are Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, who was last year's winner, and Vancouver's Ryan Kesler.

Datsyuk is also a finalist for the Hart Trophy, given to the NHL's most valuable player. Washington's Alexander Ovechkin is attempting to become the first repeat MVP since Dominik Hasek in 1997-98. Evgeni Malkin, of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, is also a finalist.

Anaheim's Bobby Ryan, a Cherry Hill native, is up for the Calder Trophy, as rookie of the year. Ryan recorded 31 goals and 57 points to lead rookies. Columbus' Steve Mason and Chicago's Kris Versteeg are also finalists.

Other awards being presented include:

* Vezina Trophy (top goalie): Niklas Backstrom (Minnesota), Steve Mason (Columbus), Tim Thomas (Boston).

* Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship): Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit), Zach Parise (New Jersey), Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay).

* Norris Trophy (top defenseman): Zdeno Chara (Boston), Mike Green (Washington), Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit). *