In the NHL Playoffs, we're down to four teams, which helps us single out who may be worthy of becoming the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
For those who don't know what the Conn Smythe Trophy is, it's quite literally the MVP of the whole playoffs, and there are several juicy options to pick from.
Let's dive into our staff's NHL Conn Smythe Trophy winner picks, predictions, and NHL picks.
Nathan MacKinnon to Win the Conn Smythe (+180)
By Tony Sartori
While Cale Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2022 when the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup, Nathan MacKinnon is a strong candidate this postseason if Colorado comes out on top. He is the current favorite for the award.
This postseason, MacKinnon leads the Avs in points and goals and ranks second in assists. He also leads the team in shots, which could be critical as the playoffs progress and scoring opportunities become more limited.
There is also a narrative component that often factors into voting. MacKinnon is likely to fall short in the Hart Trophy race and is coming off a silver medal finish at the Olympics.
Bouncing back to lead his team to a Stanley Cup while pacing the team offensively would almost certainly lock his case for the Conn Smythe.
Freddie Andersen to Win the Conn Smythe (+450)
By Nick Griffith
I’m using this as a bit of insurance on my Avalanche Stanley Cup pick. The odds for Frederik Andersen to win the Conn Smythe have the potential to drop substantially as the conference finals progress, so getting in now makes sense.
Heading into the playoffs, I had questions about Carolina in net. Andersen dealt with inconsistency during the regular season, and the Hurricanes typically rely on stifling team defense to compensate for spotty goaltending. They checked that box this year, surrendering a league-low shots on goal against the ninth-best mark in high-danger shots against.
The difference this postseason is that Andersen has not needed nearly as much help. He leads all goalies with an 11.2 GSAx, a .950 SV%, and a 1.12 GAA, topping every major category in the playoffs. He has stopped 24 of 26 unblocked high-danger shots, and his record is a spotless 8-0-0 with 191 saves on 201 shots faced overall.
If anyone is going to beat Colorado, Carolina is the team to do it, and Andersen will need to remain at the center of it. The goalie parallel is a nice built-in storyline too, with Cam Ward winning the Conn Smythe the last time Carolina lifted the Cup.
You could make a strong argument that the Taylor Hall-Logan Stankoven-Jackson Blake line has been the best combination in the entire playoffs.
There are some intriguing odds available on Hall at +1200 and Stankoven at +1300, particularly with Stankoven leading the team with seven goals, but Andersen right now is the biggest reason this team has a legitimate shot. That is where I'd put my money.
Alex Newhook to Win Conn Smythe Trophy (+8000)
By Greg Liodice
While Nick is hedging his pick, I'm doubling down on my Stanley Cup winner pick, like Tony.
Should the Montreal Canadiens walk away as the Cup champions, there is a legitimate argument as to why Alex Newhook could be the Conn Smythe winner.
As if scoring the Game 7 overtime winner against the Sabres wasn't enough ammunition for you, Newhook has come in the clutch in more ways than Montreal could even imagine.
He doesn't have the dazzling moves like Lane Hutson or the lights-out goal scorer like Cole Caufield, but he knows when to score at the right time.
And it doesn't hurt that he already has a Cup in his mantle, after winning it with the Avs in 2022.
In these playoffs, Newhook has scored 7 goals and registered two assists, but he leads all of the playoffs in 5-on-5 goals and game-winners.
You can argue that if Montreal comes out on top, the Conn Smythe would go to goaltender Jakub Dobes, which is understandable. I may even put a unit on him. But you can also argue that Montreal isn't in this position without Newhook.
Regardless, Newhook has already solidified himself as a playoff hero in the city of Montreal. And if the Habs manage to go the distance, I strongly believe he'll be one of the difference-makers.
