Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, along with teammate Sam Reinhart and Tampa Bay Lightning's Anthony Cirelli, have been named finalists for the prestigious Frank J. Selke Trophy. This award recognizes the NHL's top defensive forward, with Barkov seeking to capture it for a second consecutive year, which would place him alongside legends like Patrice Bergeron. Reinhart has had an impressive season, leading the Panthers in total points and making significant contributions on the penalty kill.

Reinhart's five short-handed goals make him the first player to achieve this feat in back-to-back seasons since Mike Richards. Both Barkov and Reinhart represent a strong duo, marking the first time teammates have been Selke finalists since the famous pairing of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Meanwhile, Cirelli's outstanding plus-30 rating and ability to contribute on both ends of the ice have earned him a spot among the league's best defensive forwards.