Panthers' Aleksander Barkov wins Selke Trophy

By Julian McKenzie

May 18, 2024

Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov is the 2023-24 recipient of the Selke Trophy, which is given to the NHL's best defensive forward. Barkov emerged victorious over finalists Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal.

This is Barkov's second Selke Trophy. He won his first following the 2020-21 campaign. This year was the third time Barkov was a finalist.

The Finnish center scored 23 goals and 80 points in 73 games with the Panthers. Barkov recorded a faceoff win rate of 57.3 percent, which is the best he's ever had in a single season. Florida finished the regular season with the lowest goals-against per game of any NHL team (2.41) as Barkov posted the second-highest average ice time among his teammates (19:38) trailing teammate Sam Reinhart (20:18).

Retired center Patrice Bergeron was last year's winner of the Selke as a member of the Boston Bruins, his record sixth time receiving the award.

Required reading

• Panthers' Aleksander Barkov showing Selke merit, if not more: 'Best player in the world right now'
• Aleksander Barkov and the unseen leadership behind the Panthers' playoff run

(Top photo of Aleksander Barkov: Joel Auerbach / Getty Images)

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Julian McKenzie is a staff writer for The Athletic's NHL vertical and is based in Calgary. He also hosts The Chris Johnston Show with The Athletic's Chris Johnston. Julian's work can also be found in the New York Times, FiveThirtyEight, CTV Montreal, The Canadian Press, TSN 690, the Montreal Gazette, The Sporting News and in other publications. Follow Julian on Twitter @jkamckenzie