Ranking the Top Candidates for the 2014-15 Selke Trophy

Each season, the NHL awards the Frank J. Selke Trophy to "the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game."

Introduced at the end of the 1977-78 season, it's as if the trophy was created to honour Montreal Canadiens left wing Bob Gainey. He established a benchmark that still stands today, with four consecutive victories.

Since Gainey's reign came to a close, centers have dominated in Selke voting. In addition to carrying more defensive responsibilities than their wingers, their performances in the faceoff circle go a long way toward determining their team's success with puck possession.

Though past Selke winners have included defensive specialists like John Madden of the New Jersey Devils or three-time winner Jere Lehtinen of the Dallas Stars, voters from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association often reward players who can score goals as well as offer up airtight defense.

Just over a month into the 2014-15 NHL season, here's a look at the early contenders for this year's Selke Trophy.

All stats courtesy of NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com. All stats current through games Tuesday, November 11.

6. Tyler Johnson: Tampa Bay Lightning

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Pedigree: Undrafted, undersized center Tyler Johnson of the Tampa Bay Lightning could go from a Calder Trophy finalist in 2013-14 to a Selke Trophy contender this season. Johnson finished third in the Calder race and 19th in Selke voting last year.

His Season So Far: Johnson and fellow youngsters Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov have been one of the hottest lines in the NHL in the early going—a big part of the reason why the Lightning are hanging among the league leaders.

Through 16 games, he has out-pointed superstar Steven Stamkos 18-17 and is a plus-nine to Stamkos' minus-one. For a player listed at 5'9" and 182 pounds, Johnson does alright in the faceoff circle, too. He has a 50.5 percent success rate, well above Stamkos' 46.3.

After his great start, Johnson was knocked out of action late in the Lightning's 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on November 11 after a cross check from Brent Seabrook. He's listed as day-to-day, according to NHL.com.

Where He Stands: As an undrafted player in just his second full season in the NHL, Johnson may have to wait awhile longer before he enters the ranks of the league's elite defensive forwards.

As good as the Lightning are, they don't get a whole lot of media attention. Tampa Bay needs the television exposure that comes with a long playoff run to showcase its impressive collection of under-the-radar talent that supports stars like Stamkos and goaltender Ben Bishop.

5. Nick Bonino: Vancouver Canucks

USA TODAY Sports

Pedigree: When the Vancouver Canucks acquired Nick Bonino last summer as part of a package for 2010-11 Selke-winning center Ryan Kesler, it was assumed that the Anaheim Ducks were receiving the elite shutdown forward in Kesler. 

Originally a sixth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks back in 2007, Bonino has been on a path of steady improvement since joining the Ducks at the 2009 trade deadline.

His Season So Far: Bonino's numbers are matching up favorably against Kesler's through the first part of 2014-15. The Ducks are happy with Kesler's 11 points in 16 games, his tenacious hitting and his 56.2 percent success rate on draws. For his part, Bonino has exceeded expectations in Vancouver, building a plus-10 rating to go along with 14 points in 17 games.

Bonino has demonstrated pinpoint accuracy in both shooting and passing, and he's displayed a penchant for having clutch timing. He has three game-winning goals and also scored the shootout winner to elevate the Canucks over his old team on November 9.

Bonino's not the best faceoff-man in the NHL—he's winning just 46.2 percent of his draws—but he has formed a strong line with Chris Higgins and Alex Burrows that scores timely goals while rarely surrendering goals against.

Where He Stands: The surprising Canucks are turning heads as they rebound from a season well outside the playoff picture to grab a spot among the leaders in the Western Conference. Because he was traded for a former Selke winner, Bonino could garner some attention if the Canucks continue to succeed and his stats remain stronger than Kesler's.

4. Jeff Carter: Los Angeles Kings

USA TODAY Sports

Pedigree: Jeff Carter received a small amount of Selke acknowledgement during his tenure with the Philadelphia Flyers, ranking 17th in the voting during the 2008-09 season and 24th in 2010-11.

His Season So Far: As the anchor of "That '70s Line" for the Los Angeles Kings, Carter has returned to the point-a-game form he showed in 2008-09 with six goals and eight assists in 15 games so far. His defensive numbers are the best he's posted since joining the Kings: tied for fourth in the league with a plus-13 and winning 55.6 percent of his faceoffs.

Where He Stands: Carter's biggest Selke competition likely comes from one of his own teammates. First-line center Anze Kopitar is the Kings' Selke darling: He finished second to the Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron in voting last season.

Carter has outperformed him at both ends of the ice so far in 2014-15; Kopitar has just five points in 12 games, an even plus/minus and a 51.8 faceoff success rate. But Kopitar has already earned the reputation as one of the best two-way players in the game. Carter will need to continue to put up outstanding numbers if he hopes to garner Selke attention for himself.

3. Pavel Datsyuk: Detroit Red Wings

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

Pedigree: Now 36, Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk won three straight Selke trophies from 2007-08 to 2009-10. His first win coincided with the Wings' 2008 Stanley Cup championship.

An injury-plagued season dropped Datsyuk to 13th place in the 2013-14 Selke rankings. 

His Season So Far: The injury woes continue as one of the game's greatest two-way players slides into his twilight years. Datsyuk has already missed five games this season with a separated shoulder, then he suffered a groin injury in practice on November 7, per NHL.com.

When he has been in the lineup, Datsyuk has been his usual excellent self. The wily Russian has five goals and five assists in eight games, with a 56.4 percent success rate in the circle. 

Datsyuk's current minus-one will almost certainly correct itself as the season wears on. He has never finished a season with a minus rating in his entire NHL career and was a stunning plus-41 when he won his first Selke in 2007-08.

Where He Stands: Still formidable when playing at 100 percent, the sun is starting to set on Datsyuk's career. 

If his health holds up through the season and the Wings stay strong, he'll likely be a part of the conversation for this year's finalists, but it won't be long before we see a full changing of the guard in Detroit.

2. Jonathan Toews: Chicago Blackhawks

Bill Smith/Getty Images

Pedigree: Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks won the Selke Trophy in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, when the Blackhawks won the Presidents' Trophy and the Stanley Cup.

In addition to his win, Toews has ranked among the NHL's top defensive forwards since he was 20 years old. He finished 17th in voting in 2008-09, fourth in 2009-10, second in 2010-11, sixth in 2011-12 and second last season.

His Season So Far: Though the Blackhawks have been a middle-of-the-pack team in the early going this season, their plus-14 goal differential is among the best in the league, suggesting better things to come. Captain Serious is only plus-two so far this year, but he's leading Chicago with 13 points in 16 games and ranks fourth in the league in faceoff success at 58.8 percent.

Where He Stands: Still just 26 years old, Toews has already been a Selke regular for six seasons. As good as he's been, his peak hockey years are still ahead of him.

Expect to see Chicago back among the Western Conference leaders by season's end, with Toews' name right back in the Selke conversation.

1. Patrice Bergeron: Boston Bruins

Brian Babineau/Getty Images

Pedigree: Patrice Bergeron is the reigning Selke Trophy holder from 2013-14 and also took home the prize in 2011-12. He finished second in voting in 2012-13, fourth in 2010-11 and fifth in 2009-10.

His Season So Far: Despite some serious injury challenges for the Boston Bruins, the team has won its last five games and is hanging with the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Bergeron has contributed a solid 12 points in 16 games, dead-on for his career average. He's second in the NHL with an impressive 62.7 success rate in the faceoff circle.

Bergeron was a plus-38 when the won the Selke in 2013-14 but is only plus-two so far this year.

Where He Stands: Already renowned as one of the top defensive forwards in the game, Bergeron has a leg up on his competition. The Bruins' team stats won't be as good this year as they were when they won the Presidents' Trophy last season.

If Boston's in contention, the team's goals-against total is reasonably low and Bergeron's faceoff percentage stays in the stratosphere, he'll be favored as the Selke's first back-to-back winner since Pavel Datsyuk won his three titles.