2010-11 Selke Trophy favourites
The Selke Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League’s best defensive forward. Based on a forward's proficiency on the defensive side of the puck, the Selke often looks at plus-minus, face-offs, and point total. The Selke Trophy is meant to be awarded to the best all-around forward. Recent winners include Rob Brind’Amour, Kris Draper and Jere Lehtinen.
Last season’s winner – Pavel Datsyuk
Jonathan Toews – Centre – Chicago Blackhawks
Jonathan Toews has long been pegged the second coming of Steve Yzerman. His awareness in his own end, as well as his leadership certainly warrants the comparison. Toews although highly skilled at the offensive end, can be considered one of the League’s best all around young talents.
Last season Toews once again put up strong number managing 25 goals and 43 assists for 68 points in just 76 games, while going an incredible plus-22. The fact that Toews was among the league leaders in plus-minus and only slotted home 25 goals shows how strong he is defensively. Moreover, Toews finished seventh in the league in face-off percentage, winning an impressive 57 per cent of his draws.
Toews commitment to an all-around game, coupled with the likely success of the Blackhawks in 2010-11, make the youngster a favourite for the Selke Trophy.
Patrice Bergeron – Centre – Boston Bruins
Last season Patrice Bergeron demonstrated his abilities as an all-around forward, leading the Boston Bruins in points, as well as playing on the team’s penalty-kill.
Last season Bergeron was forced to take over first-line duties when Marc Savard when down with a serious concussion. As top centre Bergeron managed 19 goals and 33 assists for 52 points in 73 games. The total led a defence-first Bruins side, to the Conference Semi-Finals in the 2010 play-offs.
Moreover, Bergeron performed the duties of the team’s defensive centre-man. Playing on the first penalty-kill unit. Next year he is expected to resume is role on the second line, and will be allowed to get back to his defence first game.
Patric Hornqvist – Left Wing – Nashville Predators
Last year Patric Hornqvist surprised many hockey fans by becoming the Nashville Predators' number one offensive threat. Hornqvist showed that he was dangerous at the offensive end of the ice, managing 30 goals for a very defensive Predators side. Moreover, the 23-year-old led the team with 51 points.
Although his point total is not outstanding the fact that Hornqvist was able to go an impressive plus-18 shows his commitment to an all-around game.
These types of totals could help Hornqvist garner some recognition in next year’s Selke race. In addition, the Swedish born winger, also plays on one of the most defensively sound clubs in the entire league. The fact that he led the team with 51 points and they were still able to make the play-offs is testament to that fact.
The only thing that may keep Hornqvist from really challenging for the Trophy in 2010-11, is the fact that as a winger he is an automatic underdog, having less defensive zone responsibility than a centre, as well as no face-off numbers.
Pavel Datsyuk – Centre – Detroit Red Wings
Datsyuk has won the Selke Trophy for three years in and row and there is no reason why the Russian superstar cannot win it a fourth.
Last season Datsyuk’s offensive numbers dipped, but his commitment to the defensive side of the game did not. The fact that 27 goals and 43 assists for 70 points is considered underwhelming displays how talented Datsyuk is.
Leading the league in take-aways nearly every year, Datsyuk is a force in his own end, and with a similar Red Wings line-up returning for next season, expect Datsyuk’s points to get back into the 90’s and for him to challenge for a fourth straight Selke.
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