New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier has always seemed destined to one day win a Selke Trophy. The former number-one overall pick has been considered one of the best two-way players in the league. Recently, his offense has caught up with his defense, even with the hardest matchups on most nights.
Last season, Hischier finished with 35 goals and 34 assists. He was just under a point per game, but his scoring numbers took a leap. This is just two years after he had 80 points in 81 games. Hischier found his offense in 2022-23, as most of the Devils did.
That season, Hischier finished second in Selke Trophy voting. It seemed like his coronation was coming, as the winner that year was future Hall of Famer Patrice Bergeron. Bergeron had a hold of the trophy, winning it six times, the most in NHL history. With Bergeron retiring, the NHL was looking for the next great defensive forward. Hischier was a natural for the position, since he finished second that season.
Aleksander Barkov's injury opens the Selke Trophy door for Nico Hischier
However, Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov became the more natural successor. Barkov was a little older than Hischier, and he had established himself years earlier. Barkov already had one Selke under his belt when Bergeron retired, but he’s won the last two since he called it quits.
On Friday, we learned that Barkov is likely to miss the season with a torn ACL and MCL. Coming off two Stanley Cup wins, Barkov’s body failed him before the next season even started. Now, the Selke Trophy race is wide open.
Hischier hasn’t been in the top three since his 2022-23 season, but he can get back into that conversation at any time. Last season, he finished fourth in voting, behind Barkov, Sam Bennett, and Anthony Cirelli.
Hischier doing this despite his team’s struggles all season shows that he is still at the top of the mind of many voters. Barkov’s injury is unfortunate, as it would be ideal for him to beat his Selke rival, but opening the door is good enough for Hischier’s first Selke opportunity.