2026 Conn Smythe Winner is: Jordan Staal

[TheKrebsCycle]

He had one point, an assist, in the last three games of the Final, all of which were lost by his team.

I can definitely see why he didn't win.

I was hoping Taylor Hall would win it.

I thought someone from his line at least would win it...(partial to Stank)

 

[FerrisRox]

I thought someone from his line at least would win it...(partial to Stank)

I was definitely surprised when they announced Staal. Didn't see that coming.

I knew it wasn't going to be Marner after the way the last three games went, but I didn't have Staal in my top 3 for Carolina.

 

[Zalos]

staal knew that the rink has two ends instead of one

So does/did a bunch of other players. What's your point? You think he's the only forward who can play defense?

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

Came across this as the final breakdown of votes. Not sure if anyone can confirm it's legitimate

Friedman said live that he was voting Staal-Hall 1-2 so at least that part is true. (Well, technically he only implied that he'd have Hall second by saying he was considering putting him first, but whatever)

 

[Xirik]

Staal is a Beast of a Center that is one of the main cogs that make the Canes able to play they do.

If Staal didn't win faceoffs every Fing time and wasn't so defensively sound the Cane's wouldn't be able to play their up tempo offensive style.

 

[Bradely]

I am not a fan of the Staal brothers.

But IMO, Jordan Staal deserves the CS this year. Played huge minutes, extremely disciplined hockey. For me he is the heart, soul and glue of the Canes team.
A Selke type of player showing again how important those type of non flashy players are.
This Conn Smyth 2026 winner was a no brainer with the Canes winning.

 

[FinPanda]

Just proved how Barky was robbed of it last year

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I think it's more than that, even if he had those numbers. Imagine giving it to the player who jumped out of the way of an empty net shot down 2-0 with over a minute left and their season on the line. That goal effectively put away any chance of a comeback. He did a lot of horrible things in the last 3 games that cost him it. He showed no desire to avoid elimination at the end of the game too.

If he attempts to and successfully blocks that shot and they go the other way and score they have a chance.

Wow did not notice this. Some things never change ..

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Lol you truly think there the voting if Vegas wouldve won?

Unreal

They didn’t win though . That matters a great deal. It’s incredibly rare that someone from the losing team wins ( and goalies have been far more likely )

 

[bleedgreen]

As a Canes fan I’m obviously fine with Staal winning, but Hall would’ve gotten an equal amount of respect. They don’t win without both of them.

If Freddie had made it all the way through he would’ve been my choice, though Staal really made a shocking argument of it all in the finals.

 

[Jocke1]

Seen countless comments saying that Staal only contributed in the finals and nothing else.
I didn't watch all the games so I checked his stats for each round, sharing if anybody else is curious like I was:

First round:
Games 4
Assists 1
Points 1
+1
PIMs 9
Shots 10
Ice Time / game 20:06
Shifts 124
Face-off wins 49
Face-off losses 57
Hits 17
Blocked shots 1
Takeaways 1


Second round:
Games 4
Goals 1
Assists 2
Points 3
+1
PIMs 2
Shots 4
Ice Time / game 17:46
Shifts 117
Face-off wins 48
Face-off losses 41
Hits 15
Blocked shots 2


Third round:
Games 5
Goals 1
Points 1
+2
Shots 4
Ice Time / game 16:03
Shifts 124
Face-off wins 55
Face-off losses 42
Hits 32
Blocked shots 3
Takeaways 1


Finals:
Games 6
Goals 6
Assists 1
Points 7
+2
PIMs 2
Shots 18
Ice Time / game 18:23
Shifts 167
Face-off wins 83
Face-off losses 39
Hits 22
Blocked shots 3
Takeaways 1

 

[jcbio11]

Probably fewest games played as well

EDIT: In the modern 16-win NHL playoff format (since 1987), the fewest games played to win the Stanley Cup is 18, achieved by the 1987–88 Edmonton Oilers. They finished the playoffs with a 16–2 record.

The 2026 Carolina Hurricanes (16-3 record) are highlighted among teams with the fewest losses in the modern era. 19 games played.

What a machine that team is. Not even Vegas could put a dent in.

 

[banks]

Yeah except if the Knights won then all the votes would switch, no matter what Marner did in those last games.
So, sorry if I don't take stock in their votes being a reflection of what actually happened. They vote for winners, no matter how big the gap is.
They don't care about getting it right.

"If the results on the ice had been totally different then the voting would have been different."

Ya, thats how it works. Of course it would have been different if a different team had won. They vote based on what really happens. Sounds to me like you don't understand the process your complaining about.

Honestly.

The award has always skewed toward the winning team, as it should. And it has always skewed toward the performance in the final, as it should.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

The voting wasn't even close:

• Jordan Staal, Carolina: 97 points (17-4-0)
• Taylor Hall, Carolina: 59 points (4-12-3)
• Logan Stankoven, Carolina: 17 points (0-3-8)
• Mitch Marner, Vegas: 6 points (0-1-3)
• Nikolaj Ehlers, Carolina: 4 points (0-0-4)
• Jaccob Slavin, Carolina: 3 points (0-1-0)
• Jackson Blake, Carolina: 2 points (0-0-2)
• Brandon Bussi, Carolina, 1 point (0-0-1)

If defensive play was going to be part of the voting rationale, then I'm surprised Slavin didn't get more recognition.

Also, while I know he played a pivotal role in the last couple of games, Bussi shouldn't be getting any votes. The Conn Smythe is for the playoffs, not for the last 3 games of the finals.

 

[ExarKun80]

Lol at giving a forward with 12 pts the Smythe. If someone from Carolina had to win it then give it to a defender like Slavin. Even Chatfield who was a rock in the finals deserved it over Staal.

I hate Vegas but Marner has almost 3 times the points Staal had. I guess they did not want to give the Smythe to the lossing team.

 

[Icarium]

Marner did most of his damage against an underperforming Dostal. Dostal was one of the worst goalies in the playoffs.

People forget how bad Dostal and (to a lesser extent) Vejmelka were. The main reason Vegas won those two series wasn't Marner (who did great, don't get me wrong) but Hart completely outplaying the two Czech goalies.

And yes, technically Marner had a case for most valuable player but there are many decades of precedent where players on the losing team only win if they do something really extraordinary and not simply get 10+ points more from the closest guy on the winning team. I would understand if someone new to the NHL was flummoxed by the voting but if you have watched for a long time you must have known Marner didn't stand a chance unless Vegas won the Cup.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Marner's if you go by last years standards.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Well deserved Conn Smythe for Jordan Staal, an amazing, well-rounded performance in the SC Finals sealing the deal against the only team that gave Carolina a run for his money this year.

He was the difference maker in every way.

 

[Divine]

Marner's if you go by last years standards.

Sam Bannett won last year even though Draisaitl and McDavid had 33 points. Marner had 29 points this year.

Definitely not Marner if you go by last years standards.

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

If the Conn Smythe was for the Finals only, then yes I’d say Jordan Staal should’ve won it. But since it’s the MVP for the whole playoffs….I would’ve picked Andersen tbh

 

[Fataldogg]

One of the most perplexing Conn Smythe rewards ever. 2g 3a in the first 3 rounds. Its for the entire playoff, not a Finals MVP award. Yes, he was great in the Finals, but they wouldnt have even made the Finals without Hall, Ehlers, Blake, etc consistently producing.

Id say its the weakest Conn Smythe in history if you look at the full body of work.

 

[63firebird]

Lol at giving a forward with 12 pts the Smythe. If someone from Carolina had to win it then give it to a defender like Slavin. Even Chatfield who was a rock in the finals deserved it over Staal.

I hate Vegas but Marner has almost 3 times the points Staal had. I guess they did not want to give the Smythe to the lossing team.

Staal is the captain and the leader and heart and soul of his team. Marner is very good player but hockey as Rod said is the ultimate team sport and Staal exemplifies that in his play and dedication. As Rod says they wouldn’t have gotten there without Staal. I hold his opinion in the highest regard.

 

[NorthStar4Canes]

Gronk shits bigger'n Mitch.

 

[Ole Gil]

One of the most perplexing Conn Smythe rewards ever. 2g 3a in the first 3 rounds. Its for the entire playoff, not a Finals MVP award. Yes, he was great in the Finals, but they wouldnt have even made the Finals without Hall, Ehlers, Blake, etc consistently producing.

Id say its the weakest Conn Smythe in history if you look at the full body of work.

Defense. Top scorer of opposing team was held pointless in 10 of 13 games in first 3 rounds.

Thats a big deal. Then he scored 6 in the finals, and handled Eichel/Marner in the deciding games in dominant fashion.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Also, if you’re only looking at points, you’re not paying attention.

Case in point: The double OT game vs Ottawa in Round 1. Staal was the one who sprung Martinook for the penalty shot. He didn’t get an assist on that (and Marty didn’t score on the PS), but it was a great chance generated. Later in that same game, Ehlers sets up Martinook in the high slot and he snipes it. Who was the absolute wall in front of the net, taking away Ullmark’s eyes? Staal.

Jordan did everything for the team, the entire playoffs. Powerplay, PK, faceoffs, defense, offense.