The Frank J. Selke Trophy honours the NHL forward who demonstrates exceptional defensive skills. Scroll down for the latest 2026 Selke trophy odds, highlights top contenders, and explains how to bet on the winner for the 2025-26 regular season. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or simply following the race ahead of the 2026 NHL Awards, here’s everything you need to know.
Selke Trophy Odds Today
Check out the players that are the top current nominations for the Selke Trophy in the 2025-26 NHL season below, prior to the ballots being cast by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The NHL odds in this table are provided by bet365 and were last updated on Dec 04, 2025.
| Player | Odds to Win the Selke |
|---|---|
| Nick Suzuki (MTL) | TBA |
| Nico Hischier (NJD) | TBA |
| Sam Reinhart (FLA) | TBA |
| Anthony Cirelli (TBL) | TBA |
| Leon Draisaitl (EDM) | TBA |
| Jack Eichel (VGK) | TBA |
| Mitchell Marner (VGK) | TBA |
| Auston Matthews (TOR) | TBA |
| Anze Kopitar (LAK) | TBA |
| Joel Eriksson Ek (MIN) | TBA |
Top Selke Candidates 2026
Learn more about the top contenders to emerge as the 2026 Selke Trophy winner. Each of the players below has a great chance of being a Selke nominee in 2026 and will be a top talent to watch throughout the season as this award race heats up.
Nick Suzuki (TBA)
The odds-on favourite to be named the 2026 Selke Trophy winner, Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, could be in line to capture his first major award of his NHL career.
Having been a sensational defensive forward since entering the NHL, Suzuki is the definition of a winning hockey player. Not only is Suzuki an elite playmaker, but he is also the top forward defender for the Habs.
Able to hound the top offensive players on the other side of the ice, Suzuki has broken out this year as one of the premier two-way forwards.
With last year’s Selke Trophy Winner, Aleksander Barko, out this season due to injury, Suzuki may have a streamlined run towards the top defensive forward honours in 2026.
Nick Suzuki to Win Selke Trophy
Nico Hischier (TBA)
Having come as close as second in Selke Trophy voting in the past, New Jersey Devils forward Nico Hischier is always in the mix for the award. While he’s not the biggest player on the ice, Hischier makes up for his lack of size with grit, tenacity, and sensational defensive stick skills.
Elite at generating takeaways for his team by pressuring puck carriers and getting his stick in passing lanes, the Swiss star is as frustrating a player to play against across the NHL.
With finishes as a final nominee for the Selke Trophy odds in the previous seasons, Hischier has a golden opportunity to claim this award in 2026.
Nico Hischier to Win Selke Trophy
Auston Matthews (TBA)
A long-shot pick based on the latest Selke Trophy odds, I believe that Auston Matthews should be viewed as a legitimate contender for the 2026 Selke Trophy.
While everybody gushes and raves over the goal-scoring prowess of the American superstar, many overlook the defensive ability of the Toronto Maple Leafs captain. Not an imposing physical force on the defensive side of the ice, Matthews makes his presence felt using his elite defensive positioning.
Among all NHL forwards, Matthews ranks second in shots blocked across the league, demonstrating not just his terrific positioning on the defensive end but his ability to put his body on the line to get a stop for his team.
Matthews has finished as high as third place in the Selke Awards voting, making him a great bet to be among the final nominees this season.
On pace for yet another stellar offensive season, the former Hart Trophy winner may add some more hardware to his trophy case this season as he is in line for a nomination as the best defensive forward in hockey in 2026.
Auston Matthews to Win Selke Trophy
How to Bet on Selke Trophy Odds
Betting on NHL awards like the Selke Trophy is straightforward, as most betting sites offer futures markets. Here’s how to bet on the Selke Trophy in four simple steps:
- Choose a sportsbook. Check out our list below to find a sportsbook to bet on Selke Trophy odds. Look for one that has an easy-to-navigate platform, offers good value on the odds, and supports your preferred banking method.
- Create an account. Hit the sign-up button and give the sportsbook your personal information. You’ll need to verify your identity with a government-issued ID.
- Make a deposit. Your initial deposit funds the bets you make. Betting sites usually offer a range of payment methods to do this. Navigate to the cashier or banking section of your sportsbook and choose the transfer method that’s right for you.
- Place your bet. Navigate to the NHL section of your sportsbook, select “futures”, check out the Selke Trophy odds, add your wager to your bet slip, and sweat out the results!
Where to Bet on Selke Trophy Odds
Many Canadian betting sites offer odds on NHL Awards, and here are some of the top options for betting on the Selke Trophy:
1. bet365
bet365 is known for its comprehensive NHL awards markets, providing early odds and a variety of prop bets.
The user-friendly interface makes finding Selke Trophy odds easy, and their odds are often competitive. Bettors tend to appreciate the live betting interface and variety of options on mobile. Sign up with bet365 here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Best Library of NHL Awards Odds
- Competitive Odds
- User-friendly Mobile App
2. TonyBet
Bringing no shortage of value to your NHL Awards odds bets, bettors at TonyBet can earn massive paydays if they predict the future with accuracy on this top-tier sportsbook.
With odds on each of the NHL Awards, bettors can sift through their great selection of betting options and find the perfect choice for their bet slip, with top-notch odds attached to them. Sign up with TonyBet here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Best Odds on Futures and Props
- Terrific Range of NHL Awards Options and Futures
- Fast Deposit Speeds
3. ToonieBet
Last but not least, if you’re going to place a bet on Selke Trophy odds in 2026, then look no further than ToonieBet.
While still a fresh face to the Canadian sports betting scene, ToonieBet has quickly blossomed into one of the best NHL betting sites on the market. With juicy odds and a great range of NHL futures, including Selke Trophy odds, you can bet on all the action of the hockey season with ToonieBet. Sign up with ToonieBet here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Terrific Selection of NHL Futures
- Juicy Odds
- Easy to Navigate Betting Site
Recent Selke Trophy Betting Trends 📉
History shows that voters prioritize players who combine elite defence with strong team success:
- In back-to-back seasons, the winner of the Selke Trophy has been within the top three contenders in the final Selke Trophy Odds.
- Centers have dominated this award historically, with only four wingers ever claiming the Selke. The last winger to win the Selke was Jere Lihtinen in 2003.
- Aleksander Barkov won his third Selke in 2025 by leading the Florida Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
- Patrice Bergeron holds the record with six wins, setting the standard for two-way excellence.
Past Selke Trophy Winners 🏆
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Aleksander Barkov | Center | Florida Panthers |
| 2024 | Aleksander Barkov | Center | Florida Panthers |
| 2023 | Patrice Bergeron | Center | Boston Bruins |
| 2022 | Patrice Bergeron | Center | Boston Bruins |
| 2021 | Aleksander Barkov | Center | Florida Panthers |
| 2020 | Sean Couturier | Center | Philadelphia Flyers |
| 2019 | Ryan O’Reilly | Center | St. Louis Blues |
| 2018 | Anze Kopitar | Center | Los Angeles Kings |
| 2017 | Patrice Bergeron | Center | Boston Bruins |
| 2016 | Anze Kopitar | Center | Los Angeles Kings |
| 2015 | Patrice Bergeron | Center | Boston Bruins |
How to Read Selke Trophy Odds
American odds are based on $100 wagers. They help you understand the potential return on your investment and the likelihood of a player winning the Selke Trophy.
- Negative Odds (e.g., -4000): These odds indicate that a player is a heavy favourite to win the award. Odds of -4000 mean you would need to bet $4,000 to win $100.
- Positive Odds (e.g., +1200): Positive odds show the potential profit you can earn from a $100 bet. If a player has odds of +1200, a successful $100 wager would yield a profit of $1,200.
If you’re just starting out with sports betting, place small bets—like $10 or $20—to limit your risk, and remember that American odds are based on standard $100 wagers, so your actual payout will scale to the amount you bet.
Check out our table below for potential payouts for smaller bets using minus and plus odds.
| Stake/Wager | -150 | +150 |
|---|---|---|
| $5 | $3.33 | $7.50 |
| $10 | $6.67 | $15 |
| $20 | $13.33 | $30 |
| $25 | $16.67 | $37.50 |
| $50 | $33.33 | $75 |
If your sportsbook uses decimal or fractional odds, use our handy odds calculator to convert them into American odds to make it easier to read.
Selke Trophy Odds Betting Tips 💡
To help you win big when placing bets on your Selke odds predictions, be sure to check out and learn from our Selke Trophy odds betting tips featured below.
🛒 Compare Odds
To maximize your winning potential on any bets placed on Selke odds 2026, be sure to compare odds between each of the best online betting sites in Canada. Each NHL sportsbook offers its own unique odds and lines on the Selke Trophy, so by finding the oddsmaker offering the best value, you can, in return, nab the best payout possible for your bet.
🤓 Review Trends
Before placing a bet on a player to win the Selke, be sure to check out recent trends between winners. Reviewing aspects such as player stats, team success, or previous votes received this can help you narrow down the contenders from the pretenders when it comes to Selke candidates.
🙏 Bet Responsibly
Lastly, if you’re going to place an NHL Selke odds wager, make sure to do so responsibly. Never wager more than you can afford to lose, and be sure to keep your betting habits safe, regulated, and fun. The top NHL sportsbooks all offer responsible gambling tools, such as account limits and timeouts, to help you self-monitor your betting.
What is the Selke Trophy?
The Selke Award was introduced in 1978 to recognize forwards who demonstrate exceptional defensive skills. Named after Frank J. Selke, a key architect of multiple championship teams for Montreal and Toronto, it is awarded annually based on votes from members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Key criteria include:
- Advanced metrics like puck possession and zone time.
- Defensive zone dominance (e.g., face-off wins, takeaways, and plus/minus ratings).
- Impact on team goals against per game.
More NHL Futures Markets
- Stanley Cup Odds
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- NHL Hart Memorial Odds
- NHL Art Ross Odds
- NHL Rocket Richard Odds
- NHL Vezina Trophy Odds
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- NHL Norris Trophy Odds
- NHL Jack Adams Award Odds
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The Goal Line: Selke Trophy Odds
Place your bets today on who you think will claim the Selke Trophy 2026 at any of the best NHL betting sites featured above, and be sure to use our expert insight and analysis to help formulate your next winning wager on this year–end award.
Selke Trophy Odds FAQs
Yes, a winger has won the Selke. While centers have mostly dominated the award, there have been four wingers who’ve claimed the Selke Trophy. These winners include Bob Gainey, Craig Ramsay, Dirk Graham, and, most recently, Jere Lehtinen in 2003.
Nominations have not been made official for the 2026 Selke Trophy. Auston Matthews was previously nominated for the award in 2024, finishing third in voting.
The Selke Trophy is awarded to the best defensive forward in the NHL. The forward who demonstrates the best defensive prowess and possesses elite defensive metrics wins this award.
Patrice Bergeron has won the most Selke Trophies ever with six wins. The former Bruins captain has two more Selke Trophy wins than the next closest player, Bob Gainey, with four.
No, Sidney Crosby does not have a Selke Trophy. Crosby’s best finish in Selke Trophy voting was fourth in 2019.
No player has ever won the Art Ross and Selke Trophy. Sergei Federov and Joe Sakic both came close in their careers, with Federov winning the Selke and Hart Trophy in the same year, and Sakic winning the Art Ross and being named runner-up for the Selke Trophy.