The Selke Trophy: Can Anyone Wrestle it From Pavel Datsyuk in 2011?
Bob Gainey ought to be shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
Look out, Bob—Pavel Datsyuk is gunning for you!
Gainey, the former Montreal Canadiens forward, is perhaps the only player in league history to have a trophy cast especially for him.
It was largely because of Gainey's defensive prowess—something the NHL barely used to recognize for forwards---that the league came up with the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1978, presented to the NHL's best defensive forward.
Gainey won the Trophy the first four years of its existence (1978-81).
Aside from Gainey, no player had won the Trophy in even three consecutive years, let alone four.
Until now.
The Red Wings' Datsyuk is the three-year reigning champion of the Selke, winning it in 2008, 2009, and 2010. If he keeps it up, he'll match Gainey with four in a row.
Datsyuk is becoming the Nick Lidstrom of the Selke.
As good as Datsyuk is with the puck—a veritable wizard on skates—he's at least as good, if not better, without the disc in his possession.
That's because, if he's on the ice and doesn't have the puck, wait a few seconds. He'll likely end up with it momentarily.
Datsyuk is the NHL's resident pickpocket. He's the league's rumpled guy at the race track, having a field day at the expense of the unaware bettors, lifting their wallets at will.
But all good things have to come to an end, don't they?
Someone else has to win a Selke sooner or later, right?
What follows is a betting man's guide to who might topple Datsyuk from Selke dominance in 2011.
No. 8—Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders (Odds: 100-to-1)
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The 22-year-old Okposo finished third in the NHL in takeaways last season with 78, while playing in 80 of the 82 games.
Sure, he was a minus-22, but he played for the Islanders.
But Okposo also blocked 44 shots, which put him in the upper echelon among forwards.
On the negative side, Okposo had no shorthanded goals, which can be a dealbreaker when handicapping potential finalists.
Still, he's only 22, and has the makings of being a steady, albeit possibly underrated defensive forward.
No. 7—Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars (Odds: 75-to-1)
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Morrow had a terrific bounce-back year for the Stars in 2009-10.
After playing in just 18 games the season prior, Morrow participated in 76 contests, scored 20 goals, and doled out 230 hits. He blocked 48 shots and scored a shortie, too.
Morrow is as tough as they come; a very difficult guy to play against. He's one of the league's best pests.
Does this equate to Selke recognition? Not likely, but any conversation of the Selke involving the Stars' captain is a good one.
No. 6—Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators (Odds: 35-to-1)
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Alfredsson isn't the most physical player in the world, but he's stealth.
The 37-year-old Senators' captain is slowing down offensively a tad. But he reminds me of Steve Yzerman, the great Red Wing—that is, Alfredsson is putting more emphasis on his defensive game later in his career.
Alfredsson doesn't crunch you with heavy hits; he doesn't mug you for the puck. But he still ends up with it a lot—to the tune of 76 takeaways last season, which led the Sens.
Alfredsson missed 12 games last season, and he'll be 38 in December. But if he stays healthy and the Senators have a good season, he could be a Selke darkhorse.
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No. 5—Chris Drury, New York Rangers (Odds: 25-to-1)
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Drury blocked an amazing 97 shots last season, which by far led all Rangers forwards in 2009-10.
I'd place his odds a little higher if it wasn't for the news that Drury will miss up to four weeks with a finger injury, putting his Opening Night status—and beyond—in jeopardy.
Drury was injured, ironically, blocking a shot in practice.
It's funny how many captains are appearing on this list, eh? Just shows that being strong defensively plays a large part in the respect coaches and teammates have for a player.
No. 4—Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks (Odds: 20-to-1)
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Toews's defensive stats don't leap out at you, though he did have 69 takeaways in '09-10.
But he's on this list because of his defensive performance in the 2010 Olympics, and at age 22, he's only going to get more adept without the puck.
The idea of Toews as a defensive stalwart is gaining big-time momentum around the NHL. But it's not just a reputation thing, and because the Blackhawks won the 2010 Stanley Cup.
He can shut down opposing forwards just as easily as he can score the game-winning goal. Toews is borderline brilliant defensively, a smart player who seems to know how to find the puck in short order.
It just doesn't always show up statistically.
Yep, another captain finds his way on this list!
No. 3—Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers (Odds: 10-to-1)
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Richards was a Selke Finalist in 2009, when he had 30 goals, including seven shorthanded tallies.
The SHG number dropped from seven to one last season, but Richards is still a defensive stalwart.
He's only 25, and it would be shocking if he doesn't claim a Selke (or two) before he's done.
Richards might end up being one of those guys who is given the Trophy in a year when he wasn't as deserving as the times when he didn't win.
Make sense?
No. 2—Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins (Odds: 5-to-2)
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Staal is high on this list, despite news that he's to miss up to six weeks waiting for his infected right foot to heal.
The foot was injured during last spring's playoffs against Montreal.
No matter. Staal is 22 and is destined for defensive greatness.
His prowess isn't neatly translated statistically. Staal is a stealth defender who ends up with the puck and already, at such a tender age, seems to have a very good grasp of angles, and his hockey IQ is off the charts.
Staal was a Selke Finalist in 2010, and it won't be long before he wins it.
Not long at all.
No. 1—Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks (Odds: 2-to-1)
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Kesler is knock, knock, knocking on Selke's door.
He's been a finalist the past two seasons, and the third time might be the charm.
Kesler, in fact, is my best bet for being the next consecutive Selke winner.
Why?
He's 26, he's durable—he's only missed two games the past three seasons combined—he has 10 shorthanded points the past three seasons (five goals, five assists), and has a nice nasty streak.
Plus, he's a 20+ goal guy, which doesn't hurt in terms of getting noticed by voters.
Oh, and he's from Livonia, Michiganmy hometown.
Who says I have to be 100% unbiased?
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