While the metrics aren’t fully defined, there are several qualities that you’re looking for in a Selke winner, and Draisaitl brings plenty of them to the table – starting with being a centre who can put up points, which he has with 399 goals and 956 points in 790 NHL games.
When he isn’t getting kicked out of the draw, Draisaitl has been able to post a 53.0 percent faceoff win rate over his career, and has posted a Corsi rating above 50 percent in each of his last five seasons (setting a new career high in 2024-25 at 58.7 percent), as per Natural Stat Trick.
Draisaitl hasn’t killed many penalties over his career, but when you have the role and reputation he does as one of the League’s top offensive players, it’s hard to get him more involved in that department – though he does own nine career shorthanded goals.
When he’s operating from The Spot™ located inside the right circle for one-timers on Edmonton’s power play, recording 16 PPGs in 2024-25 and owning the franchise record in that department with 162, it’s hard to find more ice time for Leon on the kill when he’s so relied upon at even strength and on the PP.
As he has grown older, Draisaitl has placed greater emphasis on his defensive game in an effort to find that extra bit of improvement that will help the Oilers achieve their ultimate goal: lifting the Stanley Cup. Trying to do enough to win the Selke Trophy is an excellent motivator for him to gain that extra edge on his opponents and go the extra mile individually for the Oilers.
“Every highly touted offensive player, the first couple of years, you want to put up numbers, and establish yourself as somebody that can score and make plays, and at times even be flashy,” Draisaitl said. “With age, I think you just learn that other parts of the game are actually just as much fun as scoring and assists and all those things. Stripping someone and playing good defence is a lot of fun too – a lot of work, but a lot of fun.”
“I think if I can continue to do that and continue to chip away at it, maybe just get one percent better at it every year, I think certainly it would help our team.”