Hypothetical - does McDavid win the Conn Smythe even if Oilers lose the cup? Assuming he has an above average finals

[Empoleon8771]

Think this game locked it up for Mcdavid. Even if Florida miraculously wins game 7, which seems pretty damn unlikely, McDavid putting up 6 (and counting) points in 3 games after down 3-0 to make it 3-3 clearly puts him as the favorite for the Conn Smythe.

Even beyond that, no one on Florida even deserves it at this point, even if they somehow win.

I posted this after game 5 as well, but if the Oilers can complete the reverse sweep, that's going to cement McDavid's legacy as legendary. If they win game 7, he's the captain of the first team to win the cup finals while down 0-3 in 50 years and the first Canadian team to win the cup in 30 years. He did this while breaking Gretzky's assist record and getting damn close (if not beating) the playoff point record. I genuinely can't think of an accomplishment better than that.

This may be a hot take, but I think that accomplishment alone makes the "big 4" a "big 5".

 

[SEALBound]

Think this game locked it up for Mcdavid. Even if Florida miraculously wins game 7, which seems pretty damn unlikely, McDavid putting up 6 (and counting) points in 3 games after down 3-0 to make it 3-3 clearly puts him as the favorite for the Conn Smythe.

Even beyond that, no one on Florida even deserves it at this point, even if they somehow win.

Most points since Malkin, most assist since Gretzky, back from 3-0...I say you're right.

Also since game 4, Barkov and Bob have hardly been impact players.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Think this game locked it up for Mcdavid. Even if Florida miraculously wins game 7, which seems pretty damn unlikely, McDavid putting up 6 (and counting) points in 3 games after down 3-0 to make it 3-3 clearly puts him as the favorite for the Conn Smythe.

Even beyond that, no one on Florida even deserves it at this point, even if they somehow win.

Why would that be a miracle?

 

[Empoleon8771]

Why would that be a miracle?

Because they look like liquid shit out there and are giving me no impression that they can even win a game at this point.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Because they look like liquid shit out there and are giving me no impression that they can even win a game at this point.

Same could be said for Edmonton earlier in the series.

 

[RebuildinVan]

Gotta assume his name has already been engraved now

 

[Sentinel]

Paradoxically, in Game 6 Barkov made a better case for himself than McDavid.

 

[heretik27]

Paradoxically, in Game 6 Barkov made a better case for himself than McDavid.

I rather enjoyed the fact that Edmonton could win this game without the offensive contributions from McDavid. Just goes to show they're more than just a single player in this resurgence, even though he's been critical to their success. Gretzky's record is probably a distant thought now, but if Edmonton wins the cup I don't think McDavid could give two shits about that. Regardless, he's just so far and away the MVP above any other player still playing.

 

[RebuildinVan]

Paradoxically, in Game 6 Barkov made a better case for himself than McDavid.

He has 21 less points. He hasn't prevented enough goals against to make up for that. And I'm a Barkov fan

 

[Montreal Shadow]

If Edmonton lose, you probably hand it to McDavid anyway. Bobrovsky has faltered and Barkov has half the amount of points.

 

[TheAngryHank]

Paradoxically, in Game 6 Barkov made a better case for himself than McDavid.

McDavid is the reason for game 6.. but I get what your saying.

 

[abo9]

I don't disagree entirely, I just don't get how someone is rewarded for being valuable in a loss?

The same philosophy that is used for the Hart which dictates that players on non-playoff teams have no chance of winning.

So either update the criteria for both awards, which I have advocated for previously, to something like "best performance of the season/playoffs" and then McDavid almost certainly bags the CS, or leave it as is, in which case it's "the most valuable player on the team that won".

I find the Hart a bit too strict too, but I'll keep the Conn Smythe.

The description of the Conn Smythe is " awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs"

The "his team" is a bit BS, since one could argue that McDavid and Draisaitl are close in terms of "MVPness" on the Oilers, but then no one else comes remotely close.

Regardless of that detail, McDavid is clearly the MVP to his team in those playoffs, than any other players. It's not discrediting what guys like Barkov or Bobrovsky are doing, but swap McDavid and Barkov, and there's just no contest - the Oilers might not even have made it to the Finals.

In any case, we see it every few years, where an MVP is on the losing end and doesn't get recognition. This time around though, McDavid and the Oilers still have a chance to pull through!

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Paradoxically, in Game 6 Barkov made a better case for himself than McDavid.

Joking? McDavid didn’t put up 4 points but his defensive play was outstanding

 

[Sentinel]

He has 21 less points. He hasn't prevented enough goals against to make up for that. And I'm a Barkov fan

Barkov has 21 less points than McDavid in Game 6? I don't remember the score being 22-1 Oilers.

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

Clearly Adam Henrique is now the front-runner.

 

[Sentinel]

Joking? McDavid didn’t put up 4 points but his defensive play was outstanding

Barkov's defensive play was outstanding AND he scored two goals (one stood).

 

[Pizza!Pizza!]

Janmark winning the Smythe and its not even close

 

[ORRFForever]

Barkov's defensive play was outstanding AND he scored two goals (one stood).

If you believe he has a chance, place a bet because you can make some decent money...

2024 Conn Smythe Trophy odds​

Player	Position
Connor McDavid	Center	-275	-440	-320
Aleksander Barkov	Center	+370	+650	+375
Sergei Bobrovsky	Goaltender	+900	+1,300	+800
Matthew Tkachuk	Winger	+2,500	+4,000	+4,000

I would not. Connor is a lock.

 

[Sentinel]

If you believe he has a chance, place a bet because you can make some decent money...

2024 Conn Smythe Trophy odds​

Player	Position
Connor McDavid	Center	-275	-440	-320
Aleksander Barkov	Center	+370	+650	+375
Sergei Bobrovsky	Goaltender	+900	+1,300	+800
Matthew Tkachuk	Winger	+2,500	+4,000	+4,000

I would not. Connor is a loCK.

That's not what I was talking about but OK.

 

[ORRFForever]

That's not what I was talking about but OK.

Fair enough. My bad.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Clearly Adam Henrique is now the front-runner.

Shhhh, don't increase his value in UFA. Need him back in NJ on something decent on term/AAV

If you believe he has a chance, place a bet because you can make some decent money...

2024 Conn Smythe Trophy odds​

Player	Position
Connor McDavid	Center	-275	-440	-320
Aleksander Barkov	Center	+370	+650	+375
Sergei Bobrovsky	Goaltender	+900	+1,300	+800
Matthew Tkachuk	Winger	+2,500	+4,000	+4,000

I would not. Connor is a lock.

Yeah, only way Barkov wins it is if he has a game 7 hat trick or something. McDavid is probably a lock, even if the Oilers lose and he still might 03' Giguere it

 

[Frank Drebin]

Barkov has 21 less points than McDavid in Game 6? I don't remember the score being 22-1 Oilers.

If the conn smythe was awarded for one game, and that game was game 6 in the SCF, it still wouldn't go to Barkov

 

[ViD]

Gotta assume his name has already been engraved now

Yup, it’s all done now

 

[ORRFForever]

Gotta assume his name has already been engraved now

Yes.

 

[End on a Hinote]

Would being pointless tonight affect his chances?