The last time a winger won the Frank J. Selke Trophy — given to the best defensive forward in the NHL — “Finding Nemo” was still swimming in theaters.
Mark Stone is trying to change that.
The Golden Knights’ marquee trade acquisition is the rare right wing that can change games on both ends of the ice, which is why he’s the first non-center to be a finalist for the award since 2007.
It won’t be easy for him to win. His competition (St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly and Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron) is stiff and history isn’t on his side thanks to a Selke drought for wingers that began in 2004.