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Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthews and Bunting Deserve NHL Awards

By James Tanner

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Sheldon Keefe, Toronto Maple Leafs
Feb 22, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe . Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Selke and Jack Adams

The Selke Trophy for the NHL’s best defensive forward likely goes once again to Patrice Bergeron who does not age, and is still an elite defensive forward who puts up a ton of points, despite being approximately 48 years old.

As far as I know, Bergeron is the heavy favorite to win this award, but Auston Matthews would also be a fair choice when you consider that not only is he an elite defender, but he scored a goal per game for 51 games, and topped 100 points.

Also unlikely to win and also deserving of a nomination is Mitch Marner who is not only a great defender like Matthews, but also provides solid penalty killing on one of the NHL’s best short-handed teams.

The Jack Adams usually goes to the coach who has the worst roster and somehow does the best with it, so that is almost certainly going to be Darryl Sutter in Calgary.  The Flames have had a crazy season with pretty much the same roster that missed last year’s playoffs.

That said, Sheldon Keefe has the Leafs in 3rd overall despite getting absolutely putrid goaltending for almost the entire season.  He won’t win it, but he’s just as good of a candidate as NHL else.  Truthfully, this award is the most subjective of any of the awards and there are always going to be ten good candidates.

If I had to guess, I would say Keefe doesn’t even get nominated.

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