The NHL officially announced Aleksander Barkov as the winner of the 2024–25 Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. But while Barkov’s third career win, and second consecutive, rightly made headlines, an unexpected and intriguing development emerged lower in the voting results: Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl finished sixth in Selke Trophy voting.
Known primarily for his offensive dominance, Draisaitl’s name in the Selke conversation has long been a topic of curiosity rather than consensus. But that’s starting to change. With 235 voting points, including one first-place vote and 18 second-place nods, Draisaitl finished ahead of perennial contenders like Anze Kopitar and Mitch Marner, and even defensive specialists such as Adam Lowry and Jordan Staal.
A More Complete Player
At 6th place, Draisaitl was the highest-ranking Oiler on the Selke ballot and the only one in the top ten. His evolution from an elite offensive weapon into a more complete 200-foot player has been increasingly evident over the past two seasons. While he has always been capable of playing center and handling tough assignments, the 2024–25 season saw him take on more consistent defensive responsibilities.
Whether it was backchecking with intent, winning puck battles in the defensive zone, or taking key faceoffs late in close games, Draisaitl’s role expanded under Kris Knoblauch’s structured system. The Oilers’ coaching staff clearly trusted him more this year in high-leverage, defensive situations, and the Professional Hockey Writers Association took note.
A More Complete Player
Draisaitl’s 235 points came from a spread of ballots:
1 first-place vote
18 second-place votes
11 third-place votes
11 fourth-place votes
11 fifth-place votes
That distribution shows he wasn’t just a token inclusion on a few lists, he was regularly considered among the league’s best two-way forwards. He finished just behind Jack Eichel (256 points) and ahead of players like Marner (177), Kopitar (125), and Hagel (115), all of whom have stronger reputations as defensive contributors.
It’s also worth noting that two former Oilers, Warren Foegele and Dylan Holloway, received minor recognition with two fifth-place votes apiece, finishing tied for 26th.
Reputation Catching Up to Reality
For years, Draisaitl has faced criticism that he rides shotgun with Connor McDavid and contributes more in the offensive zone than the defensive one. But in 2024–25, he played large stretches without McDavid, especially during various injury absences by some players. He not only carried the team at times offensively but also demonstrated reliable play away from the puck.
That improved reputation is now supported by hard recognition: a top-six finish in Selke voting.
Looking Ahead
At 29 years old and coming off another dominant offensive season, Draisaitl’s place among the NHL elite is secure. But finishing 6th in Selke voting adds a new wrinkle to his legacy. It’s now fair to say he’s no longer just a scoring machine, he’s a true two-way force.
If this trend continues, it may only be a matter of time before Leon Draisaitl becomes a Selke finalist. And in Edmonton’s pursuit of another deep playoff run, his ability to be reliable at both ends of the ice could be just as crucial as his ability to fill the net.