2018 Selke Winner - Anze Kopitar

[Ziggy Stardust]

There are two types of voters.

There are those who believe in math and statistical modeling and those who rely on vague notions. The former chooses Couturier without a second glance. The latter chooses the guy with the nicest sounding name.

The 90+ points seem great until you see that he barely kept his head above water defensively.

Let me guess, you're a Flyers fan who doesn't even bother to stay up past 10:30.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

There are two types of voters.

There are those who believe in math and statistical modeling and those who rely on vague notions. The former chooses Couturier without a second glance. The latter chooses the guy with the nicest sounding name.

The 90+ points seem great until you see that he barely kept his head above water defensively.

53% Shot Shot share and 4.6% Relative == "barely keeping head above water"?

 

[Sol]

Defensively it is not even debatable.

Couturier being 2nd is the bigger issue regardless. Kopitar has been close if not for Bergeron for some time.

[mod] Kopitar is equal to Bergeron defensively maybe just a little bit worse. But head and shoulders above offensively.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

[mod] Kopitar is equal to Bergeron defensively maybe just a little bit worse. But head and shoulders above offensively.

Bergeron

+150
57.7% CF
6.6% RelCF

Kopitar

+90
55.4% CF
2.8% RelCF

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Bergeron

+150
57.7% CF
6.6% RelCF

Kopitar

+90
55.4% CF
2.8% RelCF

I guess the zone starts and how often Kopitar is relied upon in defensive situations and his use on the PK can’t be used as metrics.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

53% Shot Shot share and 4.6% Relative == "barely keeping head above water"?

With toughest zone starts and toughest comp while leading the NHL in forward ice time on the #1 defensive team in the league and being the lead PK unit on the #1 PK in the league.

But you know, barely doing anything statistically.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Hey, I think Bergeron is possibly the best defensive forward of all time, Kopitar being 2nd to him would be no shame. But this year, missing 1/4 of the season matters, especially with Kopitar's monster season. Don't understand why that's particularly unacceptable. You'd think Bergeron/Chara fans would understand what it's like to carry a team with possession and defensive ability, just being one goal better than your counterpart on the other side while blackholing them.

 

[Girouxtiful]

Let me guess, you're a Flyers fan who doesn't even bother to stay up past 10:30.

Pretty safe guess considering that most people don't have the time/lifestyle to "bother to stay up past 10:30" to make sure they tune into every other teams' games. Boy, if only one could bother to do that, that person might be able to have an opinion!

Very happy to see Couts get this kind of recognition after the great season he had. Would have loved to see him win it, but Kopitar is a great player and definitely deserves all of the accolades he gets. Grats Kings fans.

 

[Bandit]

He is still the best defensive player in the league regardless of how many games he played in my opinion. Kopitar is a good second choice but no one should win the Selke until Bergeron begins to decline.

Yeah for sure. They should probably just rename the trophy “The Bergeron” at this point...

 

[Bounces R Way]

Strong possibility this man was sent from the future to rescue John Connor from SkyNet. Or the LA Kings from the draft lottery. Absolute machine of a hockey player.

 

[1865]

Defensively it is not even debatable.

Couturier being 2nd is the bigger issue regardless. Kopitar has been close if not for Bergeron for some time.

Sorry, where’s the issue here?

@Appleyard be on notice.

 

[1865]

Lol wow. This thread is gold. Flyers and Bruins fans in meltdown mode. Lol

I’m ok with Kopitar winning it. He’s an excellent player. I think this is Couturier’s coming out party and he’ll win it next year.

 

[CanuckistanFlyerfan]

Congrats to Kopitar....well deserved.

Glad to see Couturier get the recognition....typical NHL that it comes in a year he puts up his career best offensively on an award for best defensive forward.

 

[stampedingviking]

And here comes " that guy ", the one who has so many wrong things to say, it's pretty much just a troll job.

Troll job? He's right

 

[drugold]

Glad to see Kopitar beat the offensive black hole Burgeron. Defensively and Offensively superior. Did I do it right?

 

[wintersej]

Lmao. Kopitar has always outscored Bergeron. If Bergeron was near Kopitars production he would have won.


The gap offensively is much bigger than defensively.

I am all for Kopitar winning this one. The difference in their offensive production has always come down to their PP usage in most of their careers. Their 5 on 5 production has been extremely similar over their careers. Now Bergeron has been a key part of PP1 the last few seasons and their total points are coming into alignment. Of course, this year Bergeron broke his ankle so its all moot.

 

[StoneHands]

Pretty safe guess considering that most people don't have the time/lifestyle to "bother to stay up past 10:30" to make sure they tune into every other teams' games. Boy, if only one could bother to do that, that person might be able to have an opinion!

Very happy to see Couts get this kind of recognition after the great season he had. Would have loved to see him win it, but Kopitar is a great player and definitely deserves all of the accolades he gets. Grats Kings fans.

I do love when people on the West coast act like East coast people couldn't possibly stay up until 10pm to catch a game. Do these same people also cut out of work at 3pm every day to get home and ignore their families to watch East coast games that start at 4pm?

 

[StoneHands]

Lol wow. This thread is gold. Flyers and Bruins fans in meltdown mode. Lol

It was literally one Flyers fan. Here is every other Flyers fan comment. Yeah, we're having a serious meltdown.

I’m ok with Kopitar winning it. He’s an excellent player. I think this is Couturier’s coming out party and he’ll win it next year.

Congrats to Kopitar....well deserved.

Glad to see Couturier get the recognition....typical NHL that it comes in a year he puts up his career best offensively on an award for best defensive forward.

Very happy to see Couts get this kind of recognition after the great season he had. Would have loved to see him win it, but Kopitar is a great player and definitely deserves all of the accolades he gets. Grats Kings fans.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Well deserved by Kopitar this year . It's sort of neat that a guy from an obscure hockey nation has gone on to become one of the most well rounded players in the world.

 

[maacoshark]

Lmao. Kopitar has always outscored Bergeron. If Bergeron was near Kopitars production he would have won.


The gap offensively is much bigger than defensively.

The selke is a defensive award. Not an offensive award.

 

[StoneHands]

The selke is a defensive award. Not an offensive award.

I don't understand this stance. You know, I know, and everyone knows it's not just about defense. This kind of weak argument is like seeing a defenseman lightly crosscheck a forward in front of the net and going nuts while reading the definition of a crosscheck. Stop pretending like a 40 point 3rd line shutdown center is ever going to win the Selke.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Should of been Courtoer

 

[maacoshark]

I don't understand this stance. You know, I know, and everyone knows it's not just about defense. This kind of weak argument is like seeing a defenseman lightly crosscheck a forward in front of the net and going nuts while reading the definition of a crosscheck. Stop pretending like a 40 point 3rd line shutdown center is ever going to win the Selke.

You obviously haven't followed the NHL long enough. Originally it was awarded to players that were defensive specialists. Remember Bob Gainey. Somehow the award seems to now be awarded for the best 2way player instead.
Maybe do some research first before spouting off.

 

[Rebels57]

Nice to see Couturier finish 2nd and get the attention his game deserves.

 

[Rebels57]

Defensively it is not even debatable.

Couturier being 2nd is the bigger issue regardless. Kopitar has been close if not for Bergeron for some time.

Couturier had better underlying stats in several categories than Bergeron but the reality is that Bergeron would have likely won it or finished 2nd if not for all of the games he missed. That is always factored in. It'll be ok.