Backlund got Selke votes and here's where the Calgary Flames captain finished
Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund continues to be recognized by the NHL community for his strong defensive play.
The 2024-25 season wasn’t anything for the Flames captain to write home about, as he finished with a rather modest 15 goals and 32 points through 76 games. While the offensive production may slowly be tinkering for the 36-year-old, his two-way play continues to impress all, including many writers across the NHL.
Backlund received three fifth-place votes for the Selke Trophy on Monday, which was good enough for a 35th-place finish. It not only marks the fourth straight year he’s received Selke votes, but the eighth time in the last nine seasons.
Backlund’s highest finish for the Selke came in 2016-17, when he came in fourth place on the ballot. Voters often like to give the award to a player who also has solid offensive contributions, and he finished with a career-high 22 goals in the 2016-17 campaign, while also recording 53 points.
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov came out on top of the ballot for what is the third Selke Trophy of his career, finishing with 96 first-place votes. His teammate, Sam Reinhart, came second, while Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli rounded out the top three.
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