NHL Midseason Awards: Patrice Bergeron leads PHT Selke Trophy voting

We’ve touched on the Hart, Calder, Jack Adams, Vezina, and Norris Trophies. Now it’s time for the final one, and one that is always debated and leads to various opinions about who should win and who should end up as finalists.

The Selke Trophy is given to “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.” It is voted on annually by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

TOTAL BALLOTS (Points allocation: 10-7-5 for 1st-2nd-3rd)

1. Patrice Bergeron, Bruins – 42 (30-7-5)2. Aleksander Barkov, Panthers – 17 (10-7-0)3. Anthony Cirelli, Lightning – 14 (0-14-0)——————————————–Elias Lindholm, Flames – 10 (10-0-0)Roope Hintz, Stars – 10 (0-10-0)Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs – 7 (0-7-0)Ryan O'Reilly, Blues – 5 (0-0-5) Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes – 5 (0-0-5)

This is one of those awards where player reputation seems to play a big role, but it is not just about reputation with Patrice Bergeron. He really is still the best in the game as far as defensive forwards go, and it is across the board.  Statistically speaking, he is still elite at helping to suppress shots, expected goals, scoring chances, high-danger scoring chances, and goals, and he plays in every situation against the other team’s best players. Just an outrageously great player. Cirelli and Hintz are right there with him this season statistically, but Bergeron still gets the edge with his numbers.

1. Patrice Bergeron, Bruins2. Aleksander Barkov, Panthers3. Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes

It’s hard not to look in Bergeron’s direction this season. He’s winning a ridiculous 63% of his draws (the best rate of his career) and is producing at his usual close-to-a-point-per-game rate. It’s been another strong season for Barkov, the reigning winner, and don’t sleep