DETROIT -- This is how much respect Pavel Datsyuk’s defensive ability garners: The Red Wings forward missed nearly one-third of the season with injuries but still was named a finalist Wednesday for the Selke Trophy.

Datsyuk has won the award, presented to the NHL’s top defensive forward, the past three seasons. Hall of Famer Bob Gainey of the Montreal Canadiens is the only player who has won it four years in a row (1977-78 to 1980-81, the first four years the award was presented).

Datsyuk played in only 56 games. He ranked 11th in the league with 71 takeaways, was tied for second on the Red Wings with a plus-11 rating and was the club’s top faceoff man, winning 54.6 percent of his draws.

The star center has tough competition, particularly from Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler, a finalist for the third consecutive year. Chicago’s Jonathan Toews is the other finalist.

"I think (Datsyuk) would win it, hands down, if he played all the games," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "I’m not taking anything away from Kesler and Toews. They’re phenomenal players.

"I think Pavel’s one of the best players in the world. It’ll be fun to see who wins."

The winner will be revealed June 22 at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas.

"I’m very happy. Now I try to win," Datsyuk said. "It’s not easy. I have good competition. Always every year it’s harder and harder.

"My teammates helped me. It’s not only me."

Nobody appreciates Datsyuk’s determined play without the puck more than his goaltender, Jimmy Howard.

"He is so good with his stick, taking away the puck from opposing players," Howard said. "Just when you think you might have him beat he reaches out and extends his stick and he’s gone the other way. Some of the stuff he does you’re just in pure amazement."

Datsyuk has mastered the ability to sneak up on opponents and swipe the puck.

"That’s where it usually starts, where he gets most of his offensive chances from," teammate Johan Franzen said. "He has great speed and is so strong on the puck. He’s a smart player. He’s tough to play against at both ends."

Kesler, a speedy center from Livonia who scored 41 goals, helped the Canucks record the lowest goals-against average in the NHL (2.20). He is a strong penalty killer and faceoff man who plays physical and blocks shots.

"Every year he play better and better. This season he was unbelievable," Datsyuk said. "It’s harder to win the Selke Trophy every year, but I’m happy I’m nominated."

Franzen coming back

The Red Wings will have eight days off between games when they start their Western Conference semifinal playoff series against San Jose on Friday.

That is their longest break since 1999, when they had nine days between games following their first-round sweep of Anaheim. They lost to Colorado in the next round, winning the first two games before dropping four in a row.

"There’s always a fine line in how much rest we want," Babcock said. "We’ve all been antsy, we watched more hockey. It’s been fun that way.

"In saying that, we needed the time to get our guys healthy. You might have a little rust early. We’ll take that over getting beat up over the last while."

The rest will benefit Franzen, who got in his first full practice Wednesday since he injured his left ankle in Game 2 vs. Phoenix. He said he’ll be ready for Game 1.

"It (long break) definitely helps," Franzen said. "It might be almost too long, but it’s definitely a lot better than starting to play right away after a seven-game series."

Said Babcock: "It’s going to take him a little bit to get up to pace, but I think by the time he’s done practicing (Thursday) he’ll be ready to go."