$112,000,000 Edmonton Oilers superstar makes his case to win Selke Trophy as DOPY
Leon Draisaitl eyes Selke Trophy as he proves doubters wrong
Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl is making a strong case for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s best defensive forward. Known for his elite offensive numbers, Draisaitl is embracing the narrative shift as he sharpens the defensive side of his game.
In a recent interview via Sportsnet, Draisaitl reflected on how meaningful the Selke would be to him personally:
> “That would be almost more important than any other [individual] trophy at this point in time.”
He addressed past criticisms that neither he nor Connor McDavid could defend, and emphasized their growth in that area:
> “And the reason we don’t win is because Connor and I can’t defend or don’t defend. I think we’ve really changed that narrative around the league… I think I’ve done that for the most part this year.”
A two-way force, even through injury
Draisaitl is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury picked up against the Sharks, but that hasn’t dulled his impact this season. He leads the NHL with 52 goals and ranks third in overall points with 106, all while showing a marked improvement in his backchecking, positioning, and defensive awareness.
Despite his current injury status, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch offered a positive update, expecting Draisaitl back before the playoffs:
> “Those guys are day-to-day to maybe a week away… We expect to get everybody [in] before the end of the season.”
Playoff push underway
The Oilers sit third in the Pacific Division with 95 points through 78 games, still chasing a guaranteed playoff spot. Draisaitl’s return will be crucial—not just for their offensive firepower but for his newfound role as a responsible, well-rounded leader on both ends of the ice.
With the postseason looming and Draisaitl chasing both team glory and individual recognition, all eyes will be on how he finishes this campaign—and whether a Selke win could finally silence his doubters for good.
