"Daniel Sedin, the NHL's regular season scoring champ, who already has an Art Ross Trophy coming his way, will have make space in his trophy case for The Sporting News's NHL player of the year award.

The Vancouver Canucks star, who led the NHL with 104 points, dethrones his brother, Henrik, who won the award in 2010, and was the overwhelming favourite among Sporting News' 309-player panel. He received 135 votes, 52 more than his nearest competitor, Ducks right winger Corey Perry.

"It's pretty amazing, actually," says Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom, a fellow Swede, about the Sedin twins' back-to-back awards. "That's what makes it so big. One year, Henrik. One year, Daniel. I think they had critics a couple years ago that said they can only play with each other. I think they're showing now they don't have to.""