The Selke Trophy is awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward, and this year's finalists included Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils, and Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, many fans and analysts were surprised to see Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl snubbed from the list.
Draisaitl may not have the same reputation as some of the other nominees when it comes to defensive play, but he is a solid and reliable player in his own end. Despite only finishing the season with a plus-7 rating, Draisaitl averaged almost 22 minutes per game and was often tasked with shutting down opposing teams' top lines.
Additionally, Draisaitl excelled in the faceoff circle, finishing the season ranked ninth in the league for faceoff percentage. His ability to win key faceoffs helped the Oilers control possession and limit their opponents' scoring opportunities.
While Bergeron, Hischier, and Marner are all deserving nominees, Draisaitl's defensive contributions should not be overlooked. Hopefully, he will receive more recognition for his two-way play in the seasons to come.
