SELKE SMOOTH

We all know that Aleksander Barkov can score goals and set up his teammates, but his most dominant phase of his game might be his defense. Here we see Barkov getting in the way of a shooting lane against the Philadelphia Flyers. In June, Barkov was named the winner of the 2025 Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL. He and teammate Sam Reinhart were the first pair of teammates to finish first and second in Selke voting. It was the second straight season Barkov won the award and the third time in five seasons. Only two players have won the award more than three times. Barkov was also awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2025 as the player who best marries leadership on the ice with humanitarian contributions off it. As such both awards were presented to him by girls and boys at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “It was amazing,” Barkov said receiving the awards from the kids. “I got a little emotional there. I didn’t really have words to say. That was very nicely done, and I was really thankful for everyone who was part of it.”