Ovechkin Named Hart Finalist (Updated)

Not that there was ever much doubt, but it's now official: Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's leading scorer, is one of the three Hart Trophy finalists. Jarome Iginla (Calgary) and Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh) are his competition for the league's MVP award.

If Ovechkin wins, he'll be the first Capitals player to win the award and only the second Russian (teammate Sergei Fedorov captured it 1994 as a member of the Red Wings).

The winner will be announced June 12 in Toronto.

The finalists for coach of the year will be announced tomorrow.

Update:I'm hearing that the Russian Hockey Federation has/is about to get Ovechkin's insurance situation resolved, and that he could join his teammates on the ice for practice tomorrow.