Selke Trophy Odds (2025-26)

The following post features Selke Trophy Odds (2025-26).

With the 2025-26 NHL season underway, sportsbooks have released the Frank J. Selke Trophy odds, providing a look at the top contenders for the award recognizing the best defensive forward.

Read: NHL Vezina Trophy Odds

Related: NHL Art Ross Trophy Odds

As the NHL season progresses, bettors and fans can see which two-way forwards are likely to anchor elite defenses and stand out as the league’s most effective players this season.

So, how is the Selke Trophy race shaping up for 2025-26? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

Last season, Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers captured his third Frank J. Selke Trophy, successfully repeating as the league’s best defensive forward. Barkov earned a decisive victory with 96 first-place votes over teammate Sam Reinhart (2nd place) and Anthony Cirelli (3rd place), becoming the first set of teammates to finish 1-2 in Selke voting. Barkov’s win was based on his unparalleled two-way dominance and elite defensive metrics: he boasted a 56.5% face-off win rate and excelled in the advanced puck possession metric SAT% (59.3%). His defensive prowess anchored the Panthers to a top-10 defensive ranking and solidified his legacy, joining an exclusive group of only six players to win the award at least three times. However, a torn ACL and MCL injury suffered in training camp means the reigning winner will miss most—if not all—of the 2025-26 regular season, throwing the Selke race wide open.

Frank J. Selke Trophy

The Frank J. Selke Trophy is presented annually to the National Hockey League forward who best excels in the defensive components of the game. The winner is determined by a poll taken at the conclusion of the regular season, submitted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA). This award historically emphasizes the demanding position of Center and heavily rewards players who demonstrate elite defensive metrics, including high face-off win percentages, strong penalty-killing contributions, and advanced possession stats (Corsi/Fenwick). To be a genuine contender, the forward must also typically produce enough offense to remain on a team’s top two lines and contribute to their overall team success.

Selke Trophy Odds (2025-26)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. All odds were sourced on Oct 20, 2025. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Player Spotlights

Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers, +220)

Reinhart enters the season as the de facto favorite, benefiting from the extended absence of teammate Aleksander Barkov (the three-time winner). Reinhart finished second in voting last season, making his case as a premier two-way winger. The +220 odds reflect the opportunity for him to be the primary defensive forward on a top team, a necessary step for a winger to win the award. His case is bolstered by his penalty-kill leadership and strong possession metrics (ranking 5th in takeaways last year). If he continues to score at a high rate while carrying the defensive workload, he will shatter the perception barrier and be a top contender.

Nico Hischier (New Jersey Devils, +280)

Hischier is a consistent Selke finalist who is primed for a breakthrough, especially with the Devils’ strong roster configuration. His +280 odds are based on his proven defensive maturity and elite technical metrics: he is consistently one of the league’s top face-off winners (over 55% last season) and receives heavy penalty-kill usage. Hischier’s role involves hard-matching against the opposition’s top lines, which voters value highly. If the Devils rebound to a top-tier standing in the competitive Metropolitan Division, Hischier’s defensive workload and offensive output (career-high 80 points two seasons ago) make him an incredibly sound futures pick.

Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers, +550)

Draisaitl represents the most offensively dynamic player on this list, making him the highest-ceiling long shot. The betting value at +550 is based on the rare potential to combine elite scoring with recognition for defensive growth—a profile similar to former winner Sergei Fedorov. Draisaitl’s case rests on his dominance in the face-off circle (often over 55%) and the narrative that he has become a more dedicated two-way force. If he maintains his Art Ross-caliber point totals while contributing heavily to the penalty kill and showing sustained commitment in his own zone, he could become the rare high-scoring center to break into the top tier of Selke voting.

Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning, +650)

Cirelli is the dark horse candidate, priced favorably due to his status as a pure defensive specialist on a consistent Eastern Conference contender. Cirelli finished third in voting last season and possesses the metrics voters value: he plays heavy minutes against top competition, excels on the penalty kill, and shows a strong goals-against rate. The +650 odds are based on his traditional Selke profile, which focuses almost entirely on defensive impact. If Cirelli can increase his offensive output just enough to remain visible on PHWA ballots while continuing to anchor Tampa’s shutdown lines, he provides an excellent return for bettors prioritizing defensive integrity and consistency.

Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights, +750)

Eichel is an intriguing candidate who achieved his first Selke recognition last season, finishing fifth in the voting. His +750 odds reflect a growing appreciation for his two-way game under Coach Bruce Cassidy. The betting proposition is that Eichel will build on his career-best defensive assignments, leading Vegas forwards in shorthanded minutes while maintaining strong offensive production. With veteran Mitch Marner added to the top six, Eichel may see his overall points climb, giving him the statistical boost needed to move up the ballot. This is a bet on the continuity of Cassidy’s defensive system maximizing Eichel’s full potential.

Selke Trophy Winners (2015-Present)

The table below highlights every Frank J. Selke Trophy winner since 2015.

Conclusion

In conclusion, with defending winner Aleksander Barkov out for the season and Sam Reinhart as the statistical frontrunner, Nico Hischier, Anthony Cirelli, and Jack Eichel present compelling alternatives, whose combination of elite defensive metrics, strategic role, and team success narratives position them strongly to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy.