SenShot’s NHL Awards Preview: Frank J. Selke Trophy
With the NHL Awards to be handed out during the Stanley Cup Finals this year, SenShot will look at one award each day and predict the winner and also make our own pick based on the votes from our three writers. Yesterday we looked at the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, and today we have already looked at the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and now we turn our attention to the awards given for forwards who excel in their own end of the ice the Frank J Selke Trophy.
AWARDED TO: “The forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.” – NHL.com
VOTED ON BY: The Professional Hockey Writers Association.
THE NOMINEES ARE:
PATRICE BERGERON: The defending holder of the Selke, Patrice Bergeron has developed into one of the most reliable two-way players in the league. He had the best faceoff percentage in the league both overall (62.1) and while shorthanded (61.3).
PAVEL DATSYUK: A three time winner of the Selke, Pavel Datsyuk has defined the position of two-way forward play in the 2000’s. With a win this season, it would tie him for the most wins with Bob Gainey.
JONATHAN TOEWS: Nominated for the second time, Jonathan Toews is a classic all-around player who is dominant at both ends of the ice. He not only led his team in goals, but also plus minus and had the second best faceoff percentage in the NHL.
AND THE WINNER IS…
May 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) wins a face off against Chicago Blackhawks center Michal Handzus (26) during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
SenShot selects Pavel Datsyuk as the winner of the Selke Trophy. This award tends to be based on reputation more than any of the awards. Once you get in the conversation for the Selke, you pretty much stay in the conversation. Also, this isn’t necessarily given to the best defensive forward, but the best all-around forward since it has been a long time since a player who was purely defensively oriented won the award. The Red Wings made the post-season despite losing Nicklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom, and Datsyuk was a big reason for that. Datsyuk was a unanimous selection by SenShot’s staff.
HAVE YOUR SAY: You have heard our pick, now make your own.