Quick Hits: Selke Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy, Beau Schmitz, Blue Jackets

Contracts to the Kings, Blues, Predators and Flyers for advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs. Below are quick hits from around the league:

• Patrice Bergeron, David Backes and Pavel Datsyuk are the three finalists for the Selke Trophy NHL Award which is the award for the league’s best defensive forward.
• Brian Campbell, Jordan Eberle and Matt Moulson are the three finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy NHL Award. This award goes to a player who had an excellent year while still exhibiting “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.” That’s typically measured by a players ability to stay out of the penalty box.
• Beau Schmitz has signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Schmitz will earn $50,000 per season in the minors or $525,000 per season at the NHL level. He will also get a $50,000 signing bonus. Schmitz had 54 points and 91 penalty minutes in 62 OHL games in 2011-12.
• Columbus Dispatch reports that Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson wants his team to have a head coach that will raise expectations. ”We need somebody who can raise the bar,” Howson said. “The expectations have been too low around here, and that goes not only for the players and coaches, but for management and everybody else. We have to raise the bar, and the coach has to push the players toward that.” Interim coach Todd Richards appears to be in the running for the head coaching position, but the Blue Jackets are still weighing their options.