Nick Foligno is the first Columbus Blue Jackets player to be selected as a finalist for the award. Along with him, Mark Giordano of the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf were also selected as finalists.
Unlike most awards where finalists and winners are chosen by media members, this award is chosen by the player it is named after. Mark Messier, the Hall of Fame centerman goes through the process of selecting the finalists alone, despite taking suggestions from people around the league.
All three finalists made the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year with only Getzlaf’s Ducks advancing past the first round.