The NHL’s early-season flow has already revealed how quickly reputations can shift. Players known for offense are showing new dimensions, and teams are finding value in forwards who can influence the game without always appearing on the scoresheet. It has set the stage for a defensive race that looks different from any other year.

This shift has opened the door for names that rarely appeared in past Selke conversations. As the season settles in, two stars known for their offense are now earning attention for what they accomplish without the puck. Their rise brings us to a deeper look at how the Selke Trophy field is shaping up.

Leon Draisaitl and Mitch Marner Break Into an Evolving Selke Conversation

In a recent column assessing the Selke Trophy race, NHL analyst Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic placed Leon Draisaitl and Mitch Marner squarely in the top tier of defensive forwards. Luszczyszyn broke down the year’s early contenders through his Defensive Rating model and highlighted how quickly the race has tightened. “With no Aleksander Barkov this season, the Selke trophy race will likely be this season’s most fascinating,” he wrote, creating an open field where strong two-way play becomes even more noticeable.

His ranking placed Nick Suzuki at the top, praised for how little his line gives up with him on the ice. Behind Suzuki, the analyst zeroed in on a handful of forwards delivering standout results without always carrying their teams’ toughest matchup assignments. That’s where Marner and Draisaitl enter the picture.

Their numbers point to sharp defensive instincts layered on top of their usual offensive workloads. Luszczyszyn noted that “Mitch Marner, Leon Draisaitl, and Matty Beniers have all put up excellent results,” showing how their consistency keeps them firmly within the conversation.

For Draisaitl, this recognition arrives during a season where his offensive game once again anchors Edmonton’s top line. Even as the Oilers navigate an uneven start, his play away from the puck has stood out. His reads in the defensive zone and his support on breakouts have helped keep Edmonton consistent in key stretches, making him one of the few forwards who can shift momentum in either direction.

Draisaitl’s heavy minutes only magnify his importance.

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Marner, meanwhile, has embraced a demanding role with the Vegas Golden Knights. His transition into a new system hasn’t slowed his impact. The playmaking remains sharp, but it’s his pressure on opposing puck carriers and quick recoveries that have pushed him into this Selke conversation. His smart stick positioning, combined with his ability to close space quickly, has lifted Vegas during tight games, often turning defensive stands into immediate rush chances.

Luszczyszyn’s broader breakdown shows that the field is packed with contenders. Mikael Backlund’s heavy-usage minutes, Tyson Foerster’s emerging defensive profile, and Mika Zibanejad’s reliability all surfaced in the rankings.

Yet the unique part of this year’s race is how seamlessly high-end skill players like Marner and Draisaitl have blended defense into their identity. They aren’t matchup anchors, but their results are strong enough to rival those who are.