Early Tuesday evening, the NHL announced the finalists for the Selke Trophy alongside the Lady Byng Trophy within the first wave of trophy finalist revealings preparing for the 2023 NHL Awards. Finalists include Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils.
Patrice Bergeron (@NHLBruins), Nico Hischier (@NJDevils) and Mitchell Marner (@MapleLeafs) are the three finalists for the 2022-23 Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.” #NHLAwards#NHLStats: https://t.co/str935SN2v pic.twitter.com/zU9D4SX6fI
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 2, 2023
Selke Finalists for 2022-23 Awards Announced
Patrice Bergeron
As Boston’s top-line centre in their masterful 65-win regular season, Bergeron was one of Boston’s most integral skaters and perhaps the most fundamentally valuable aside from David Pastrnak. Bergeron provided expectedly strong support down and through the middle of the ice, serving as Boston’s ultimate stabilizing figure in both zones. His expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) of 2.07 at 5v5 this season ranked 14th among all skaters with at least 500 minutes of 5v5 play, with his 62.96 expected goals percentage (xGF%) ranking 3rd within the same parameters (Evolving-Hockey).
Despite the utter collapse suffered by Boston in the postseason and the Bruins’ winless mark without Bergeron in the three games played with him in the lineup, Bergeron’s accreditation should not be undersized. Bergeron, who holds the record for most Selke trophies won, looks for his seventh Selke in his 12th straight nomination.
Mitchell Marner
Mitch Marner‘s foundational involvement in the team defensive improvements of the Maple Leafs has earned him his first career Selke nomination alongside offensive riches. With Marner on the ice, Toronto’s xGA/60 was nine percent less than the league average; without Marner, the team was four percent below the league average (Hockey Viz). For further reference, Marner’s xGF% of 55.42 percent ranked seventh among all skaters on the Maple Leafs, with among the most difficult competition faced within the lineup.
Alongside Auston Matthews, Marner continually holds as a hallmark for dominant control of the pace-of-play and in the NHL and dynamic playdriving, now including in all zones and areas of the game.
Nico Hischier
With Patrice Bergeron’s retirement looming, a new serial Selke contender potentially emerges in Nico Hischier; despite his first career nomination coming in this unveil, his largely touted defensive play has grown thematic to his play, with recognition only now following this season. Strong defensive skills in-zone and incredibly active support enable Hischier and his linemates to limit in-zone opportunities; combined with his diverse skating and up-ice mobility, Hischier serves as one of the best holistic play directors in the NHL, especially considering his lineup versatility (Hischier has played significant minutes in each of the first three centre positions within the lineup).
Hischer’s Selke nomination is certainly indicative of the bright future illuminated by the New Jersey Devils, who begin their second-round series tomorrow night. Aside from any current and future postseason results this season, Hischer projects as the center-stone of a high-end playoff and perhaps even cup contender in upcoming seasons.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
