Selke Finalists

[hf101]

And the nominees are in alphabetical order.

 

Patrice Bergeron

 

Bergeron, 31, is a three-time Selke Trophy winner (2012, 2014, 2015) and a six-time finalist. He led the League in SAT percentage (61.10) among players with at least 40 games. He led the League in faceoff wins (1,089) and was third in winning percentage (60.1) among players to take at least 500 faceoffs. His 302 shots on goal were the second most of his NHL career and third in the NHL. His 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) in 79 games were fourth on the Bruins. He was second to Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar in 2016. The only player to win the Selke four times is Hockey Hall of Fame member Bob Gainey

 

Ryan Kesler

 

Kesler, 32, won the Selke with the Vancouver Canucks in 2011 and is a five-time finalist. His 1,029 faceoff wins were third in the League and an NHL career high. He also ranked third in time on ice among forwards (21:18) and sixth in faceoff percentage (57.4 percent, minimum 500 faceoffs). His 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists) were second on the Ducks. He was third in Selke voting in 2016.

 

Mikko Koivu

 

Koivu, 34, is a first-time finalist who finished fourth in Selke voting in 2009. He set NHL career-highs in plus/minus (plus-27) and blocked shots (65), and won 55.2 percent of his faceoffs. His 58 points (18 goals, 40 assists) were third on the Wild.

 

stats info via https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-announces-selke-trophy-finalists/c-288931932

[yave1964]

My vote would easily go to Kesler as he had an under the radar brilliant season. He is as good of a two way player as any in the game today. I would not be offended by any of the three winning but IMHO Kesler was just a bit better.

 

  That said I expect the winner to be Bergeron who overcame a slow start to put up decent scoring numbers to go along with his faceoffs and who plays a beautiful game and never takes a shift off. Marchand and Rask get the pub, Bergeron just goes out and plays. Stat geeks love this guy because he is such a hidden star. Like I said he will likely win and it wont offend me but I see a bit of East Coast bias as Kesler was just as good this year.