Stanley Cup Playoffs Update: Conn Smythe Trophy Contenders
With only four teams left in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the postseason MVP, is heating up. A few standout candidates are becoming clear as the playoffs progress.
Edmonton’s Conor McDavid is currently the frontrunner at +350, notably leading the odds as the conference finals approach. McDavid, who won this award last year, made history as one of only two players to do so without winning the Stanley Cup since 2003.
He’s closely followed by Dallas’s Mikko Rantanen at +400 and Carolina’s Frederik Andersen at +550.
Interestingly, Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers has the next best odds at +800, making him the only Panther in the top six contenders.
Conn Smythe Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Conor McDavid | +350 |
| Mikko Rantanen | +400 |
| Frederik Andersen | +550 |
| Sergei Bobrovsky | +800 |
| Leon Draisaitl | 11/1 |
| Jake Oettinger | 14/1 |
| Alexander Barkov | 15/1 |
| Sam Reinhart | 20/1 |
| Matthew Tkachuk | 25/1 |
| Andrei Svechnikov | 25/1 |
| Sebastian Aho | 28/1 |
| Seth Jarvis | 35/1 |
| Brandon Montour | 35/1 |
| Sam Bennett | 60/1 |
| Jaccob Slavin | 66/1 |
| Carter Verhaeghe | 80/1 |
| Thomas Harley | 80/1 |
| Stuart Skinner | 80/1 |
As the playoffs continue, we’re starting to see who might emerge as frontrunners from each team. If the Oilers clinch the Stanley Cup, expect McDavid or Leon Draisaitl (11/1) to be strong candidates for the Conn Smythe.
On the other hand, Rantanen, currently leading in playoff scoring, looks like a solid bet if the Stars come out on top. That said, goaltender Jake Oettinger (14/1) could also enter the conversation if he keeps up his performance.
The Eastern Conference scenario seems a bit clearer. Andersen has had strong outings for the Hurricanes, but if he falters, players like Andrei Svechnikov (25/1) or Jaccob Slavin (66/1) might seize the opportunity.
As for the Florida Panthers, the situation remains quite open. Bobrovsky has found his groove, yet the Panthers have several stars who could shine brightly. For example, Brad Marchand (35/1) and Eetu Luostarinen (250/1) lead the team in scoring, while Aleksander Barkov (15/1) holds the shortest odds for skaters.
Best Bets for Conn Smythe
There are certainly two names worth considering, and they come from different areas of the odds board.
Leon Draisaitl stands out as a strong contender despite the competition from McDavid. He’s already leading the Oilers with five goals in the playoffs, which presents a good opportunity at odds of 11/1.
Another intriguing option is Seth Jones from the Florida Panthers, listed at 500/1. Jones has been a formidable presence during the playoffs and has received notable praise for his performance, particularly against the Maple Leafs. Although he needs to elevate his production to truly contend, his playing time of nearly 26 minutes a night could offer him a chance to make an impact.
To recap: Leon Draisaitl (11/1) and Seth Jones (500/1) are interesting prospects.
Conclusion
The current playoff landscape certainly breeds a mix of excitement and uncertainty, which makes watching the remaining games all the more thrilling. It’s anyone’s guess as to who will ultimately capture the Conn Smythe Trophy when the dust settles.
