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April 22, 2004 - Draper is nominee; Lidstrom snubbed
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Thursday, April 22, 2004

Draper is nominee; Lidstrom snubbed

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DETROIT As expected, center Kris Draper was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy.

Unexpectedly, defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom and Mathieu Schneider are not finalists for the Norris Trophy.

The NHL Awards Show is June 10 in Toronto.

Im humbled, said Draper, a first-time finalist for the award, which goes to the NHLs best defensive forward. To get the recognition around the league, Im flattered.

Lidstrom has won three consecutive Norris trophies, given to the best NHL defenseman, and finished second in the voting the three consecutive seasons before his stretch of victories.

But that streak ends this season, not surprising to Lidstrom.

Ive set a pretty high standard and I didnt think I reached that level this season, he said. I picked it up the second half (of the season), but overall I didnt have as strong a season like previous years.

Scott Neidermayer (New Jersey), Zdeno Chara (Ottawa) and Chris Pronger (St. Louis) are Norris Trophy finalists.

The competition is really good, Lidstrom said. Its tough to be up there every year.

The Wings said they felt if Lidstrom couldnt be a finalist, Schneider would be. He wasnt, though.

I wasnt expecting it, Schneider said. It would have been a nice honor, but theres only one trophy (Stanley Cup) that matters to me. Its been a tremendous season all the way around and I couldnt be happier.

Said associate coach Barry Smith: You look at all the team statistics, were near all the top of the them. Its a team effort in all phases. Kris is very deserving. Its too bad more guys didnt get nominated, especially our defensemen.