Nick Suzuki has emerged as the clear consensus favorite for the 2025-26 Frank J. Selke Trophy among NHL traders, driven by his standout two-way play as Montreal's captain. The 26-year-old center posted a career-high 101 points while posting elite defensive metrics, including the highest Defensive Rating among finalists, strong Corsi and expected-goals control at five-on-five, and a plus-38 rating. His line dominated possession and scoring chances, helping the Canadiens post one of their best defensive seasons in years. With Aleksander Barkov sidelined by injury, Suzuki faced limited competition for top defensive-forward honors. The May 6 finalist announcement, which also included Anthony Cirelli and Brock Nelson, has further solidified trader positioning, though a surprise voter preference for one of the other finalists' shutdown roles or penalty-kill contributions remains the primary scenario that could shift the outcome before the award is announced next month.