Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Kesler and Mikko Koivu are your 2017 Selke Trophy finalists.
Each season, the NHL awards the Frank J. Selke Trophy to the forward “who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game“. It’s a great debate, mostly because everyone has a different way of measuring the defensive value of a forward.
However, centers usually have the upper hand because they’re more prominent. Once again, three centers are the finalists.
The NHL has announced Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild and Ryan Kesler of the Anaheim Ducks are the Selke Trophy finalists.
There were some excellent players who didn’t get nominated because this was such a great year. Nazem Kadri of the Toronto Maple Leafs is probably getting a top 10 finish. With his performance so far against the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, a strong argument could be had for him as a finalist. Nicklas Backstrom of the Capitals was getting a lot of support earlier in the season but lost out. Expect to see him get at least a top 10 finish and possibly a top five.
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Bergeron is gunning for his fourth Selke, which would tie him with Bob Gainey for the most ever. This is the sixth straight season he’ll finish in the top three. Kesler will finish in the top three for the fifth time of his career. He’ll be looking to win his second award after winning his first in the 2010-11 season. It’s nice to see Koivu get some love. He has been fabulous this season, and he’s needed to be to fend off perennial finalists Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Toews.
If Kesler or Koivu win, it will be the first time since 2010-11 someone other than Bergeron, Kopitar or Toews have won the Selke.