Islanders 2021 end-of-year fan vote awards results

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 15: Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the New York Islanders looks on during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on April 15, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Selke Trophy

Mid-Season Winner: Pageau (44.4%)
End of Year Winner: Pageau (41.5%)

Was there ever a question that Jean-Gabriel Pageau would win the Selke for the Islanders? If every team were allowed to submit a name for the awards you have to believe the Islanders would have JG on that ballot.

Pageau starts an overwhelming number of his shifts in the D-zone for the Isles (61.7%) and still manages to put up production. He’s got 14 goals on the year, a pace that would have seen him pop 21 goals in a full season. That’s not a career-high, but hitting 20 goals wasn’t something any believed he could do when the Islanders acquired him from Ottawa.

A big help in allowing him (and his line) to generate so much offense from a defensive position is his incredible 56.7% efficiency in faceoffs. For players who took 500+ draws Pageau ranks eighth in the NHL. When it comes to the D-zone, Pageau howls a 57.2% efficiency which is fourth for players who took 300+ D-zone draws.

I know that this award is usually given to the player with the best CF%, and that’s not Pageau. His 45.68 5on5 CF% ranks in the bottom half for Islanders forwards. But I think there’s more nuance to being the best defensive forward outside of just having a good on-ice shot share.

This is Pageau’s award and I’m glad you all agree with me on that.

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