Barkov, Reinhart, Cirelli up for Selke as top defensive forward

Florida Panthers forwards Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, along with Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli, were chosen as finalists for this season's Selke Trophy.

The honor, chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, is given to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in defensive aspects of the game.

Barkov won the award in 2021 and 2024. He's a finalist for the fourth time in the last five years after compiling 71 points in 67 games this season while averaging over 20 minutes per contest. Florida's captain also played a primary role on the penalty kill, won 56.5% of his faceoffs, and registered 34 takeaways.

He and Reinhart are the first teammates to be nominated for the Selke in the same year since Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk in 2008, according to The Athletic's Chris Johnston.

Reinhart is a first-time finalist after finishing fourth on the ballot last season. He paced the Panthers with 39 goals and 81 points, and his five shorthanded goals were the third most in the NHL. Reinhart led all NHL forwards in Evolving-Hockey's even-strength defensive goals above replacement metric, while Cirelli and Barkov ranked third and sixth, respectively.

Reinhart is listed as a center but spends the majority of his minutes on Barkov's wing. A winger hasn't won the Selke since Jere Lehtinen did so in 2003.

Cirelli is also a first-time finalist but previously finished top five in voting twice. He had 59 points in 80 games this season, adding 72 blocks and 21 takeaways. Cirelli was a staple on Tampa Bay's sixth-ranked penalty kill and is looking to become the first player in Lightning history to win the award.