Three Red Wings That Could Contend for the Selke Trophy in ’21-’22

The Selke Trophy is awarded to the leagues best defensive forward. As the Detroit Red Wings took steps forward in their rebuild last season, perhaps the best development was the team’s defense. This wasn’t just a result of Detroit’s defensemen – a few of the forwards took major strides in their defensive games. Which Red Wings could take another major step and find themselves in contention for a Selke this season?

Filip Zadina

This selection might be a bit of an overaction to Zadina’s development last season, but the exciting young Czech is taking major steps in developing his two-way game..

Although the statistics don’t necessarily reflect it, Zadina took major strides in his overall game in 2021. He became a significantly better two-way player this past year year. On a team where plenty of forwards improved defensively, Zadina led the way in terms of development. He was above average defensively, and more impressively, he began to develop and hone his skills as a puck hound. Essentially, he is learning to become a threat without the puck. Opponents can’t afford to become complacent in the defensive zone: he’ll just steal the puck or leave little breathing room for the puck carrier.

While fans are looking for Zadina to kick up the scoring, if his two-way game takes another massive step this season, he could find himself as a finalist for best defensive forward of the year. But there is still plenty of growth needed.

Michael Rasmussen

Rasmussen is another younger player that improved defensively in 2020-21. ‘Ras went from struggling to make the main roster to a comfortable spot as a bottom-six center for the team. He earned his spot with intelligent center play, keeping the offense humming along while not making any major mistakes.

Selke contention is a bit much to ask from a player that only just made the main roster. However, he did so as a result of solid two-way play at center. It’d be nearly impossible for a third line center to make the Selke finalist list, but in Jeff Blashill’s system, ‘Ras might have the tape and analytics to earn it. A lot hinges on Rasmussen’s progression in ’21-’22: there is not much room for regression.

Dylan Larkin

Realistically, the Red Wings with the best shot at winning the 2022 Selke Trophy is Dylan Larkin.

Although last season was a bit of a disapointment for Detroit’s Captain, his defensive abilities were still there throughout the season. Steve Yzerman and Jeff Blashill seem to like their centers to play a two-way game, and in the last few seasons, Larkin seems to have developed just that.

This year, Larkin could snag national attention if the Red Wings improve in their move back to the Atlantic. If the team continues their trend upward, Detroit’s team captain will likely have a major part to play in it. Blashill’s system is a perfect breeding ground for Selke finalists (safe, smart and efficient play being the main style needed for a center in Blashill’s system), but if Larkin wants to be a finalist, it’ll take a better performance than ’21. Yes, the roster was bad, and yes, he had some injuries in the latter half of the season, but to contend for a league award on a mediocre team, exceptional play is a necessity.