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Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov Wins Selke Trophy

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Colton Davies | Last updated 5/18/24

Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov has won the 2023-24 Frank J. Selke Trophy.

The Selke Trophy recognizes “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Barkov is a Selke winner for the second time in his career, and became the first winner in Panthers’ franchise history in 2020-21.

Aleksander Barkov is the winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy! #NHLAwards

This trophy is awarded annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. pic.twitter.com/jH8EyoVk6m
— NHL (@NHL) May 18, 2024

Barkov notched 23 goals and 57 assists for 80 points in 73 games. He became a key contributor to the Panthers and helped them tied for first place in the NHL in goals-against per game with 2.41. It also marked the lowest such figure in the Panthers’ history, topping the 2.44 set in 2015-16.

The 28-year-old took a team-leading 1,100 face-offs and posted a win rate of 57.3%, ranking ninth in the NHL among skaters. Barkov placed fifth among NHL forwards in plus-minus with a +33 rating, the second-highest figure in his 11-year NHL career.

According to NHL EDGE tracking data, when Barkov was on the ice for 5v5, the puck was in the offensive zone for 46.3% of the time, ranking in the 97th percentile among NHL skaters, and in the defensive zone for just 35.3% of the time.

Barkov was a runaway winner with 1,817 voting points, Carolina Hurricanes veteran Jordan Staal finished second in voting with 539 voting points and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews finished third in voting with 514 votes.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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