The award, called the Hart Memorial Trophy and given every season but one since 1924, has already been voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

Iginla, Malkin and Ovechkin, listed by the NHL in alphabetical order, are the top three vote getters. The winner is to be announced June 12.

Iginla is a three-time Hart Trophy finalist, having finished second in 2002 and 2004. He was third in the NHL in scoring this past season with 50 goals and 48 assists for 98 points.

Malkin, who just completed his first NHL season, was second in the league in scoring (106 points on 47 goals and 59 assists) and was considered key to the Penguins success after teammate Sidney Crosby, last year's Hart Trophy winner, was injured.

Ovechkin, his second season, led the NHL in points (112) and goals (65). His goal total was the most in the league since 1996.