NHL Announces Calder Trophy Finalists: Couture, Skinner, and Grabner

In the first of ten NHL Award finalist announcements that will occur over the next two weeks, the NHL announced the Calder Trophy top three as Logan Couture of San Jose, Jeff Skinner of Carolina, and Michel Grabner of the Islanders.

All three players will attend the NHL Award show at the Pearle Theater at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas on June 22 where the winner will be revealed.

It was thought that Grabner's chances may have been hurt by the three New York Area chapters of the PHWA deciding not to vote as a protest against the Isles removing credentials from Chris Botta.

Players that weren't named but were considered by voters include, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky from Philadelphia, goalie Correy Crawford from Chicago, defenseman Cam Fowler from the Ducks, 2010 Entry draft fist pick Taylor Hall of the Oilers, Center Brad Marchand of Boston, latecomer goalie James Reimer of  Toronto, goalie Michal Neuvirth of the Capitals. Tyler Ennis of Buffalo, Derek Stephan of the Rangers, Jordan Eberle of the Oilers.and Kevin Shattenkirk of St. Louis.

After the jump is the full press release from the NHL...