Patrice Bergeron, Nico Hischier and Mitch Marner were named finalists for the Selke Trophy on Tuesday.
The award is given annually to the forward voted best to excel in the defensive aspects of the game as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The winner will be announced as part of the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 26.
Bergeron, captain of the Boston Bruins, can win the award for the second consecutive season and a record sixth time. His 61.1 percent face-off percentage was second in the NHL (minimum 500 attempts) behind Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (63.1 percent). He was first in face-offs won (1,043), second in face-offs taken (1,706) and fifth in defensive face-off percentage (61.8 percent). The center was fourth among Bruins forwards in average ice time per game (17:24), third in short-handed ice time per game (1:46), second in blocked shots (54) and fourth in takeaways (38). Bergeron's plus-35 rating in 78 games led Bruins forwards and was his highest since 2013-14 (plus-38). His 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) in 78 games were third and helped the Bruins set NHL records of 65 win and 135 points and clinch a Stanley Cup Playoff berth for the seventh straight season. Bergeron led Boston in SAT percentage (59.7 percent, minimum 50 games played). He's a finalist for a record 12th straight season.
Hischier, the New Jersey Devils captain, ranked second among their forwards in ice time per game (19:17), first in short-handed ice time per game (2:06) and takeaways (64), and second in blocked shots (61). He won 53.9 percent of face-offs (third) and 57.8 percent of defensive draws (second). Hischier had NHL career highs of 31 goals, 49 assists and 80 points, second on the Devils behind Jack Hughes (99 points; 43 goals, 56 assists), to help New Jersey (52-22-8) finish second in the Metropolitan Division and qualify for the playoffs for the second time since 2012.
"The pride he takes in his two-way game," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said, "playing on both sides of the puck, penalty kill and power play. He had the tough assignments all last series (a seven-game win against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference First Round) and did an unbelievable job. It's so great for our organization and I'm really proud of where Nico has his game."
Hischier was plus-33 in 81 games, third on the Devils to forward Tomas Tatar (plus-42) and defenseman Ryan Graves (plus-34), and sixth among Devils skaters in SAT percentage (minimum 20 games played) with New Jersey taking 55.0 percent of all shot attempts when he was on the ice at 5-on-5. A first-time nominee, Hischier could be the second Devils skater to win the Selke (John Madden in 2001). He is their first finalist since Madden was runner-up to Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.
"That's exactly how I want to play," Hischier said. "That's my game. That's what I want to do. It started when I watched my idol Pavel Datsyuk play. He was a really good two-way forward and that's just the kind of player I want to be. I take pride in it."
Marner is also a first-time finalist. He set an NHL career high of 99 points (30 goals, 69 points) in 80 games while averaging 21:17 of ice time, second on the Toronto Maple Leafs to defenseman Morgan Rielly (21:42), and his 2:17 per game while short-handed was second among Toronto forwards (David Kampf, 2:38). He led Maple Leafs forwards with 104 takeaways and his 45 blocked shots were third.
"It's cool. But this sport is done with five guys on the ice and a lot of kudos to the guys around me," Marner said. "I'm not trying to focus on that, I'm trying to focus on what's going on in this series."
Toronto took 53.3 percent of all shot attempts at 5-on-5 when Marner was on the ice, tied for second among forwards with Pierre Engvall (traded to the New York Islanders on Feb. 28) behind Auston Matthews (53.4 percent). Doug Gilmour (1993) was the last Maple Leafs skater to win the Selke. He was runner-up to Sergei Federov of the Red Wings the following year.
"The work that he does 5-on-5 speaks for itself and power play but obviously the penalty kill is a big piece for him," Matthews said of Marner. "He's just so good with his stick, anticipating plays, breaking up passes and just getting little tips on pucks to disrupt the opposition. I think it's very fitting. He's obviously an amazing player offensively but defensively he's really come into his own especially the last couple years. It's very well-deserved."
Bergeron could be a repeat Selke winner for a second time (2014 and 2015).
NHL.com staff writer Mike G. Morreale and independent correspondent Dave McCarthy contributed to this report
