Ranking the 5 Best Defensive Forwards in the NHL Right Now
Patrice Bergeron is considered the gold standard for defensive forwards in the NHL. Since 2011-12, he won the Frank J. Selke Trophy a record six times, including in 2021-22 and 2022-23. He was also a six-time finalist for that ward over that period.
Bergeron's retirement this summer leaves the field open for someone else to step into the role as the league's top defensive forward. There are several worthwhile candidates who could be in contention for the Selke over the next several seasons.
Some, like Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, are former Selke winners or finalists. Others, like Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner, could be in line to win for the first time.
The players on this ranking play strong two-way games. They can generate offense while preventing opponents from doing so at even strength or killing penalties. Selke Trophy wins and nominations, time on ice per game, shot-attempt percentage, and takeaways factored into this compilation.
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5. Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
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A highly skilled two-way forward, right wing Mark Stone is the established king of takeaways among NHL skaters. Since his NHL rookie season with the Ottawa Senators in 2014-15 through 2022-23, the 31-year-old Vegas Golden Knights captain leads all players in that category with 742.
The 6'3", 212-pound Stone's long reach, hockey smarts and active stick enable him to win puck battles and pick off passes. It's that skill that made him a three-time finalist for the Selke Trophy between 2018-19 and 2020-21. After missing parts of the past two seasons because of injuries, he's once against among this season's leaders with 20 takeaways as of Nov. 22.
Stone is also a reliable offensive presence with six seasons of 61-plus points since 2014-15. He's second this season among Golden Knights forwards in time on ice per game, averaging 19:21 minutes per game including 1:46 per game on the penalty kill.
It was Stone's two-way skills along with his leadership that played a significant role in the Golden Knights winning their first-ever Stanley Cup last season. If his back injuries are now in the past, he should remain among the favorites to win the Selke this season.
4. Elias Lindholm, Calgary Flames
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After a difficult start to this season, the Calgary Flames have been climbing the standings of late. Leading the way has been Elias Lindholm, who was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2021-22 following a career-best season with 42 goals and 82 points.
Since joining the Flames in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, Lindholm has become one of the NHL's best two-way centers. In addition to his '21-'22 performance, he had 78 points in 2018-19 and 64 last season. He's also been among their best puck-possession players with a 54.4 shot-attempt percentage over the past five seasons.
Lindholm's active stick and hockey IQ placed him second among Flames skaters in total takeaways over the past five seasons with 215 and in shorthanded ice time per game (2:14) He was also their leader among forwards in total blocked shots over the period with 216 as well as faceoff win percentage (53.1), including 52.0 in the defensive zone.
The 6'1", 202-pound Lindholm struggled along with his teammates last season as they missed the 2023 playoffs. However, a return to form this season could put him into the running for the Selke this season.
3. Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils
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Following several seasons of rebuilding, the New Jersey Devils qualified for the playoffs in 2022-23 for the first time since 2017-18 with a franchise-best 112-point record. Center and team captain Nico Hischier's two-way game played a crucial role in that improvement.
Hischier, 24, enjoyed a career-best performance offensively with 31 goals and 49 assists for 80 points, finishing second to Jack Hughes among Devils scorers. However, it was his defensive play that made him a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy for the first time in his career.
The Devils captain led his teammates last season with 64 takeaways and all Devils forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:06). He was also second among Devils forwards with 61 blocked shots and second in defensive zone faceoff percentage (57.8) for players with at least 100 faceoffs.
As of Nov. 23, Hischier has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since Oct. 27. During his 10-game absence, the Devils had just four wins and slipped to four points out of an Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 17 points. They should improve once he returns to action, and he could play his way into Selke Trophy contention this season if he remains healthy.
2. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Mitch Marner's offensive game has often overshadowed his defensive contributions. The Toronto Maple Leafs right wing finally received recognition for his defense last season, as he was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy.
Marner's skills as a playmaking forward are undeniable. Between his rookie debut in 2015-16 through 2022-23, the 26-year-old Leafs star has regularly tallied 61-plus points, including three with 94 or more points. He was named to the First All-Star Team in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Over those seven seasons, Marner sits fifth in total takeaways with 523. Five of his 99 points last season came shorthanded, ranking sixth overall in that category among NHL forwards. He was second among Leafs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:17) and was fourth in puck possession with a 53.3 shot attempt percentage.
At 6' and 180 pounds, Marner lacks the size of others on this list. He makes up for it with his hockey smarts and anticipation, intercepting passes and clearing attempts by his opponents and then quickly turning the play the other way. He will likely be in the running for the Selke this season.
1. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
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Winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2020-21, Aleksander Barkov is considered to be among the NHL's elite two-way players. A finalist for the Selke in 2021-22, the 28-year-old Florida Panthers center and team captain played a big role in the club's Presidents' Trophy win in 2021-22 and their march to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
Since his breakout performance in 2015-16, Barkov's been a reliable point-producer for the Panthers with eight straight seasons of 52 or more points. Those include four seasons with at least 78 points, notably a career-best of 96 points in 2018-19.
Barkov's defensive stats are also impressive. He was first among Panthers with at least 20 games played last season in takeaways with 56, second in defensive zone faceoff win percentage (52.1), third in puck possession with a 56.8 shot-attempt percentage and third among their forwards in shorthanded ice time (2:06) and blocked shots with 48.
Thanks to his 6'3", 215-pound frame, Barkov puts his size and long reach to good use along with his speed and hockey smarts to pick off passes and steal the puck from opponents. He anticipates the game well, logs big minutes in all situations and is rarely caught out of position.
Stats, standings (as of Nov. 23, 2023) and award info via NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com.
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