from Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

The Selke Trophy is handed out annually to the NHL's best two-way forward. Crosby's defensive numbers are at career-best levels, and they're on par with every Selke nominee over the past half-decade, guys like Jonathan Toews, Patrice Bergeron and Pavel Datsyuk.

So can Crosby win the Selke?

“Why not?” said assistant coach Rick Tocchet, who has worked with Crosby to refine his defensive game. “He's going against the elite players on the other team a lot of nights. When you're on the plus side a lot of those nights, you have to be considered.”...

How is Crosby's game different? Essentially he's around his own net more. On 50-50 plays, where he once might have cheated toward offense, Crosby is staying below the puck and supporting the defensemen. There are slower, safer breakouts. And he's not taking as many risks.

more