The Selke Trophy is one of the most prestigious NHL Awards. But now it represents one thing: faceoff win percentages. Here's why it shouldn't.
NHL Awards
Boston Bruins player Patrice Bergeron wins the Frank J. Selke Trophy during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)
During the NHL Awards, one of the big trophies presented is the Frank J. Selke trophy.
This trophy is a recognition of the best defensive forward in the NHL.
Except that award has now been distorted. It now recognizes the center best at face-offs.
At least that's how it seems. Instead of recognizing the play of all forwards, it has become extremely center-heavy.
And that's a real shame. It's not the purpose of the award. And it's lead to some greats being left out.
Patrice Bergeron Earned It
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This is not to say that Patrice Bergeron did not earn it. He did. It's just not for his 3rd best in the NHL 60.1% face-off success rate.
It's for his play outside of that. He was 24th in the league in terms of penalty kill minutes.
He led the league in Corsi with a 61.8 Corsi For in 5 on 5 situations.
Bergeron is a defensive beast, one who can play in all situations for the Boston Bruins.
From 5 on 5 to the penalty kill to the power play, he's great.
And it's why, even in a down year defensively, Bergeron still won. He's won four now, and it's for a reason.
But while Bergeron was deserving of his award, the same can't be said for Mikko Koivu, another finalist.
And that's because some great wingers were left out to put Koivu in. And while he had great face-off success and started in the defensive zone in the 5 on 5, there wasn't much else.
The Case For Wingers
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Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) takes the puck up ice during the third period as Detroit Red Wings left wing Tomas Tatar (21) defends (Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports)
Some wingers have earned their spots in the finalist group.
Forwards who should be thought of but haven't been include Marian Hossa, Brad Marchand, and Zach Hyman.
And it's because they aren't in the face-off dot.
Two of them are on the list, but lower than they perhaps should be. Marian Hossa was voted 14th, Marchand 12th.
Hyman was left off of the list altogether.
Mark Stone, by the way, was the highest winger on the list. His best defensive stat – 96 takeaways. Other than that: really not much.
These three all play valuable minutes on the penalty kill – Hyman had the most PK minutes out of all forwards in the NHL this season.
With Marian Hossa's career perhaps now done, it's time to take it as a lesson. If a forward who isn't a center displays the ability to be better defensively than everybody, maybe give them their award.
May 20, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) passes the puck defended by Nashville Predators center Calle Jarnkrok (19) during the second period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
How To Determine Best Defensive Forward In the Future
Again look at Patrice Bergeron's stats – 24th in the league in penalty kill. 1st in Corsi. That's what should be looked at – what the numbers show.
Koivu was deployed in the defensive zone – but in 5-on-5. Easier, you would think, than the penalty kill.
Koivu was 55th in terms of penalty kill minutes. That's behind Hyman, Marchand, Bergeron, Ryan Kesler, Anze Kopitar, Mikael Backlund, and Paul Byron.
Byron, by the way, is known for his speedy breakaways on offense. Not exactly a help on the penalty kill.
Look at the stats that matter. Penalty kill minutes are hugely important. It shows who the truly defensive players are. Kesler was 4th. Bergeron 24th. And there were more deserving wings.
It may sound crazy, but yes, I'm arguing that Brad Marchand should've been higher on this list. Maybe even a finalist. It's not just a side-effect of Bergeron.
The Case For Wingers
Zach Hyman's defensive stats for 2016-17: 223 Penalty Kill minutes played. Most in NHL. 4 short-handed goals. Tied for second in the NHL. 51.52 Corsi. Higher than Ryan Kesler.
Brad Marchand's defensive stats for 2016-17: 60.30 Corsi. Second in NHL behind only Bergeron. 147 minutes of the penalty kill. 37th in NHL. 3 short-handed goals, tied for 5th.
NHL Awards
Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) and Dallas Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (5) collide (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)
Both of these players deserved to be on the list, higher than Mikko Koivu.
Both were hugely important to their team's abilities to kill off penalties and play defensively.
And while scoring again entered the video presentations for the Selke – Marchand was in the Rocket Richard goal scoring race.
He was up there in points and goals.
Zach Hyman is an up and coming defensive forward, perhaps he can be one of the best ever.
But no one will recognize it if the NHL Awards continue down the face-off path.
And the NHL Awards also pay more attention to hits. Which is nonsense? Are you really going to reward so-called "defensive" forwards for going for the body instead of the puck?
The Case For Hossa
Marian Hossa had a down year in terms of possession. While his scoring numbers went up, that's not what he's been known for – despite a .87 point-per-game career pace.
The impressive numbers from Hossa's career: four seasons he had a Corsi above 58%. Every year of his career (that they tracked those stats) he had more takeaways than giveaways.
In his six best years in terms of possession – 2008-2014 – Hossa had the sixth best Corsi on the penalty kill. He had the 11th best PDO on the penalty kill. 6th most goals for, again, on the penalty kill.
And he was never given the award he earned, time and time again. He will go down as the Selke's version of Brad Park.
And that's something no one should experience. It's a lesson the NHL Awards should have learned with Park.
So please, NHL. Take this plea, this case. Don't let other forwards go through this same pain. Reward Brad Marchand sooner rather than later.
Watch Zach Hyman – if he turns into another Marian Hossa, learn the lesson. Reward him too.
