2023-24 Frank J. Selke Trophy finalists: Aleksander Barkov, Auston Matthews, Jordan Staal | Winner: Aleksander Barkov

[FinlandPanther]

Good for the second place finalists but Barkov is easily winning this. Matthews being there is hilarious though.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

It's understandable, given that most people pay the closest attention to Leafs in the playoffs and Matthews doesn't show up for those.

Small sample size!

 

[ijuka]

Of these, should be Barkov easily.

 

[Divine]

43 seconds/game puts him at 8th amongst Leafs forwards lol.

The question was does he even kill penalties? The answer is yes.

If you want to give the Selke to the top 3 most used penalty killers then the finalists would be:

Jake Evans
Jordan Greenway
Joel Armia

 

[Felidae]

It's easy to laugh at Matthews especially given their recent series loss. But can anyone actually back up their position on why or why he shouldn't be a selke finalist?

 

[Ezekial]

The question was does he even kill penalties? The answer is yes.

If you want to give the Selke to the top 3 most used penalty killers then the finalists would be:

Jake Evans
Jordan Greenway
Joel Armia

Barkov spends 2.5x the amount of time on the PK every game that Matthews does

But go ahead and act like what you said matters.

 

[Norwegianoiler]

Still think Patrice Bergeron will win it.

 

[KingJoffrey]

It's easy to laugh at Matthews especially given their recent series loss. But can anyone actually back up their position on why or why he shouldn't be a selke finalist?

Kopitar is better. Aho is better. Hintz is better. Even old man Crosby.

I'm fine if he's ranked top 10 or top 12, but this is a joke.

 

[Ezekial]

It's easy to laugh at Matthews especially given their recent series loss. But can anyone actually back up their position on why or why he shouldn't be a selke finalist?

I simply think if your team relies on 4 other forwards more in purely defensive situations you aren't even an elite defensive forward on your own team.

 

[Divine]

Barkov spends 2.5x the amount of time on the PK every game that Matthews does

But go ahead and act like what you said matters.

So PK time means you're better defensively?

Barkov is the 4th most used forward on the PK on his own team. Why is he nominated when 3 others on his team have more PK time?

 

[danyhabsfan]

Eriksson Ek seemed like a solid choice. I don't know what the advanced stats says.

 

[Bowski]

A Canadian team star player praised for defensive skills he does not possess?

awarded “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game,”

The CCM (Crosby Canadian Media) is at it again, time to call:

 

[EpochLink]

This is Barkov’a to win

 

[Peasy]

All the people saying hes no where near selke level punching air right now.

 

[Fatass]

Matthews wins that Lady trophy. This one goes to Barkov.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

The question was does he even kill penalties? The answer is yes.

If you want to give the Selke to the top 3 most used penalty killers then the finalists would be:

Jake Evans
Jordan Greenway
Joel Armia

No, I'd just like to give it to players who are actually excellent both ways. Not superstars Toronto media wants to slobber over with votes for random awards they don't qualify for.

 

[Ezekial]

So PK time means you're better defensively?

Barkov is the 4th most used forward on the PK on his own team. Why is he nominated when 3 others on his team have more PK time?

When the difference is seconds and not minutes it's a little different. But whatever dude, you get to watch your favorite player lose an award he doesn't deserve in the first place. I'm sure I will read a future post from you where you call him a Selke finalist with pride.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

You have to love the tears. LOL. This thread reinforces how many posters on HF have their minds made up about Matthews. Probably don't even watch him play.

 

[LemonSauceD]

You would think having supposedly two Selke level players (Marner and Matthews now) the Leafs would make it further than another 1st round exit.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Should have been Kopitar instead of Matthews no? He had another great year.

 

[Phrasing]

Ha Marner then Matthews. Media knows their audience, or don’t know other players.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

You would think having supposedly two Selke level players (Marner and Matthews now) the Leafs would make it further than another 1st round exit.

Well that's why they're regular season awards!

 

[Phrasing]

You have to love the tears. LOL. This thread reinforces how many posters on HF have their minds made up about Matthews. Probably don't even watch him play.

Hard not to watch Leafs games. I also don’t think anyone is saying he’s bad defensively. Top three defensive forward in the league? I think there were better candidates.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

The Frank J. Selke Trophy, or simply the Selke Trophy, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.

If we were going by the literal definition, Staal should have at least 5 Selke trophies by now. This isn't the "best 2 way forward" award, by definition it is best defensive forward. Which Staal has been through his entire career.

That said, considering the voters have changed the definition to best 2 way forward essentially, it's pretty hilarious that this is the year that Staal is a finalist as it was easily the worst season of his career. Aho and Jarvis are more worthy than Staal this year from the Canes alone.

 

[MNRube]

Staal, Eriksson Ek miles better defensively than AM34