Four days after Mikko Koivu was voted a finalist for the Selke Trophy, the Wild's Mikael Granlund was named a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy. The award is given annually to the NHLer "adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, combined with a high standard of playing ability."
Granlund, 25, had a career-high 69 points this past season, tied for the fourth most in a single season in Wild history, with only 12 penalty minutes. He also had a career-high 26 goals, 43 assists, 20 power-play points and 16 multipoint games.
Granlund has 201 points and 80 penalty minutes in 321 career games.
Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau and St. Louis' Vladimir Tarasenko are the other finalists. The winners for all awards will be announced at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas on June 21.
Staal concussed
Wild center Eric Staal suffered a concussion when he crashed headfirst into the boards in the second period of Saturday's season-ending 4-3 loss to the Blues. He was released from Regions Hospital after a few hours of observation. Everything else with Staal checked out OK, General Manager Chuck Fletcher said.
MICHAEL RUSSO
