Wild's Koivu making early case for Selke Trophy
A quarter of the way through the season there have been many surprises, whether it has been players or teams. One of those surprises is center Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild, who is the pick to win the Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward.
When analyzing advanced stats, which play a big factor in determining the Selke Trophy finalists and winner, Koivu has excelled. He ranks seventh in shot attempts percentage at 5-on-5 (SAT%) at 58.94, and is tied for first in SAT Relative, a ratio of on-ice SAT% vs. off-ice SAT% (13.6). Koivu has won 54.6 percent of his faceoffs (253 of 463) and has been equally as impressive in defensive-zone faceoffs. He's taken 141 defensive-zone faceoffs and has won 51.8 percent.
His SAT percentage in close games (tied or one-goal difference) is 63.05 (second among forwards) and in tie games he ranks first (65.17).
Koivu, 32, is having a great season offensively and defensively. In addition to having four goals and 18 points in 19 games, he's only taken two minor penalties and is a staple on the penalty kill (1:12 of shorthanded ice time per game). He leads Wild forwards in total ice time (387:06) and ice time per game (20:22), and is second in points.
His rankings near the top in all important categories are why Koivu is the favorite to win the Selke a quarter of the way through the season.
Finalists:
Anze Kopitar
Max Pacioretty