logo
The LeafsNation has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Top Leafs stories of 2024: When Auston Matthews was nominated for the Selke Trophy
Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews.
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Alex Hobson
Dec 27, 2024, 11:53 ESTUpdated: Dec 27, 2024, 11:52 EST
Comments
I’ll never forget when the Maple Leafs won the draft lottery in 2016. It was arguably the most excitement I had felt since I began watching the team. Bear in mind that I had only been a Leafs fan since 2005, meaning that I hopped on the wagon as soon as those early 2000s playoff runs ended and a horrendous nine-year stretch with no playoffs began.
Anyway, back to the point. When the Leafs won the lottery, I remember telling a friend that I would be ecstatic if Matthews could morph into an Anze Kopitar-style player with slightly more offence and slightly less defence. Suffice it to say; I wasn’t expecting him to morph into a top-line centre who could sniff 70 goals and be nominated for the Selke Trophy in the same season. Yet, here we are.
I don’t know if it was because the announcement came within 12 hours of the Maple Leafs being eliminated from the playoffs or if fans woke up the morning after another playoff loss thinking about how grateful they were for Matthews’ regular season services, but fans were very interested to read up on his defensive game being recognized, alongside Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov and Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal. Here’s a snippet from my news hit on the nomination, shining light on what earned Matthews the honour.
Regardless of the lack of appetite, fans will have to hear about any Leafs player being nominated for an individual award right now, Matthews did have an excellent season defensively and deserves the honour. He finished second in the NHL in takeaways with 85, only five back of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin in that regard, and led all Leafs forwards in blocked shots with 93, finishing second in the NHL among forwards in that category behind only Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ryan Poehling. It’s the sixth time he has received votes for the Selke, but the first time he’s actually been nominated for the award. Teammate Mitch Marner was nominated for the award last season and finished third overall in voting while Matthews finished 14th.
Regardless of how you feel about Matthews’ playoff performances to date or the team’s lack of playoff success during the Matthews era period, there’s no denying that the Maple Leafs have a one-of-a-kind player on their hands. To put things into perspective, Mats Sundin, the team’s previous bonafide #1 centre who is eternally beloved by fans, had a career-high of 94 points with the Maple Leafs and was never nominated for a Selke, only receiving votes twice during his career. Matthews’ career highs in goals (69) and points (107) both came last season and both clear any of Sundin’s accolades by a mile, so to be nominated as one of the league’s best defensive players on top of that is something fans tend to take for granted sometimes.
With Matthews locked up for four more years, including this season, all that’s left to do is parlay those individual accolades into some playoff success. Maybe this is the year?

Nation Gear Boxing Day Sale

From December 26th to 29th, we’re dropping our biggest sale of the year—and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. Here’s the lineup: 20% off all gear—yes, all gear. Hoodies, tees, hats—whatever you need to rep your team in style. Plus, free shipping on orders over $200, so you’re saving on both gear and delivery. This is your chance to stock up and save big while looking sharp in the best gear out there. But don’t wait—when this sale ends, it’s game over. Head over to nationgear.ca right now to take advantage of these deals. Gear up. Save big.
News
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News