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St. Louis Blues: Handing Out Team Trophies for 2016-17 Regular Season

By Joseph Schneider

Apr 9, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues celebrate after they defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues celebrate after they defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) and Anaheim Ducks right wing Ondrej Kase (86) go for the puck during the first period of the game at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) and Anaheim Ducks right wing Ondrej Kase (86) go for the puck during the first period of the game at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Selke – Patrik Berglund

Placing second on the team with 23 goals, Patrik Berglund‘s offensive emergence has overshadowed the defensive identity he has brought to St. Louis for nearly a decade . The 28 year-old set new career highs in hits (155), blocks (42) and faceoffs won (576), shattering career averages in both departments by double-figures.

Berglund finished with Corsi and Fenwick ratings above 50 percent for the eighth time in five years, allowing the Blues to generate more scoring chances than opponents more times than not. His minus-7 +/- rating may prove misleading toward his pedigree as a defensive player, but it’s also an indicator of increasing responsibilities Berglund embraced outside of special teams and as one of only three Blues skaters to play all 82 regular season games.

The 6-foot-4 center is tied with frequent lineman Zachary Sanford as the team’s tallest forward. The size element, along with the speed component aided by David Perron, has led Berglund to one of the finest two-way player seasons in recent franchise history, resulting in a 5-year, $19.25 million contract extension in February.

Chance of NHL awards recognition

Berglund has not really been in the race for any NHL awards since receiving a few votes for Lady Byng and Calder Trophy recognition after the 2008-09 campaign, his rookie season. While statistics may allude to the value of Berglund’s defense for St. Louis, other players with teams in more favorable playoff positions may carry priority. Anaheim’s Ryan Kesler or Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom are more likely candidates to acquire this year’s Selke Trophy recognition.

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