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NEW YORK -- Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Nicklas Backstrom were chosen Wednesday as finalists for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL's top rookie.
Kane, the first pick in the 2007 draft, and Toews, the third pick the year before, are teammates on the Chicago Blackhawks. Backstrom plays for the Washington Capitals, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia in seven games.
Teammates also finished in the top three last year. Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin won the award and teammate Jordan Staal was third in the voting by media members.
The winner will be announced on June 12 on the NHL's awards program.
Kane was the league's rookie points leader with 21 goals and 51 assists this season. Backstrom had 55 assists and 14 goals, and Toews led rookies with 24 goals, and had 30 assists.
