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

[WetcoastOrca]

I’m not sure he’s even clearly the best Oiler.
But if the series went 7 games and he put up crazy numbers then maybe. But highly unlikely that happens with him being shut down in game 1 already.

 

[MCR74]

Why should he?

 

[Mike C]

No it’s not, that’s why you get more than even money betting on the Oilers.

I took the Panthers and laid 130. Haven't checked but Oilers probably a lot higher now than the plus 120 opening odds

 

[IceManCat]

Why would you give an award to a player in a series that has barely started, and in which he has done nothing at this point to deserve it? Odd logic being used here.

But if you are referring to losing players being awarded a Conn Smythe it happens from time to time. I think Giguere won it and lost in 2003.



Edit:

History of Conn Smythe Winners in Losing Efforts - The Hockey Writers Hockey History Latest News, Analysis & More

The Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the NHL's playoff MVP, has been given to five players whose teams did not win the Stanley Cup.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[Midnight Judges]

The Conn Smythe is supposed to go to the most valuable individual player in the playoffs but the voters have essentially decided to ignore the criteria and go for the best story line narrative, and the best narrative practically always comes from the winning team.

So no, if the oilers lose McDavid will likely not get the award.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Absolutely not, he is withering away in the playoffs per usual. He doesn't play honest hockey. Give me Barkov, Eichel, etc over him any day.

 

[behemolari]

Absolutely not, he is withering away in the playoffs per usual. He doesn't play honest hockey. Give me Barkov, Eichel, etc over him any day.

On the game winning goal last night he did look like a passenger for sure

 

[josra33]

I kinda want to see sad McDavid accept the Conn Smyth

 

[bambamcam4ever]

The Conn Smythe is supposed to go to the most valuable individual player in the playoffs but the voters have essentially decided to ignore the criteria and go for the best story line narrative, and the best narrative practically always comes from the winning team.

So no, if the oilers lose McDavid will likely not get the award.

I agree it was a shame the voters gave it to Ovechkin in 2018.

 

[Midnight Judges]

I agree it was a shame the voters gave it to Ovechkin in 2018.

I wouldn't expect a Penguins fan to have watched all the games or understand that the Capitals were playing a heavy game led by physical players like Ovie, Wilson, and Orpik. You probably didn't watch the Lightning or Vegas series after your team was golfing, although you probably saw Ovechkin have 3 late-game back breaking primary assists and goals to send your team packing.

Ovechkin + Backstrom
Ovechkin + Vrana
Ovechkin + Kuznetsov and it was nighty night for your Pens:

 

[bambamcam4ever]

I wouldn't expect a Penguins fan to have watched all the games or understand that the Capitals were playing a heavy game led by physical players like Ovie, Wilson, and Orpik. You probably didn't watch the Lightning or Vegas series after your team was golfing, although you probably saw Ovechkin have 3 late-game back breaking primary assists and goals to send your team packing.

Ovechkin + Backstrom
Ovechkin + Vrana
Ovechkin + Kuznetsov and it was nighty night for your Pens:

I watched all the Capitals games that playoff except for a couple against TB. Kuznetsov was their most impactful player.

But I would never forget the refereeing in that series, like Wilson tripping Maatta to create that chance in the first clip.

 

[WiLBoY]

If I'm honest, McDavid hasn't exactly been that great despite his points. Draisaitl has actually been the more dangerous player on most given nights. Man is a beast

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I mean, he did get OHL Playoff MVP when the Otters lost in 2015. It's possible, but doubt it.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Generally when a player on the losing team wins it’s a goaltender who stood on his head and there’s no obvious choice on the winning team. I don’t really see a case for McDavid if the Oilers lose. He’s already been held pointless for the first game too.

 

[Nemec]

It was pathetic when giguere won it in 2003 and should be a moment of embarrassment for the NHL. it should never happen again.

 

[Sentinel]

It was pathetic when giguere won it in 2003 and should be a moment of embarrassment for the NHL. it should never happen again.

There was nothing pathetic about Giguere in 2003. It was the best goaltending ever (along with 99' Hasek).

 

[McVespa99]

It’s only happened once and it was when a goalie was essentially unbeatable dragging a bad Anaheim team to within one win of a Cup.

McDavid has been amazing, but Edmonton wish also a good team with other players putting up great performances on his team as well.


It’s not going to happen barring him scoring like 4pts/game in a 7 game losing effort (while the rest of his teammates play terrible)

It happened in 1987 also. Ron Hextall. Took a team that should have lost in 4 or 5 to the 7th game

 

[Crosby2010]

If the Oilers lose then McDavid will have a lot of shades of Gretzky from 1983. And Gretzky had 38 points in the postseason and the best Islander that year was Bob Bourne with 28 points. Then Bossy with 26 points. Potvin had 20 points. But the Conn Smythe went to Billy Smith. Partly because Gretzky was shut down to just 4 assists in the 4-game sweep. You aren't giving anyone the Conn Smythe after he gets 34 points in the first three rounds. It is too much of a let down. In other words, Gretzky didn't win the Smythe simply because the Oilers were too overpowered that Cup final and there were other Islanders that played well also. Gretzky didnt win it as a King in 1993 with 40 points either! One non-goalie in history has done it and that's Reggie Leach in 1976. No one overall has done it in 21 years. If the Panthers win it will be in part because of Bobrovsky, and I think that will help elevate him, especially if McDavid doesn't put up much in the way of points. So if they win that trophy probably goes to Bob. Or even someone like Vergaeghe or Barkov.

 

[DingerMcSlapshot]

McDavid about 5th on the list.

 

[nbwingsfan]

It happened in 1987 also. Ron Hextall. Took a team that should have lost in 4 or 5 to the 7th game

Did not know that, thanks.

So yeah, basically you need to be a goalie who dragged teams through to an “almost” Cup to have any chance

 

[Video Nasty]

Draisaitl has actually been the more dangerous player on most given nights. Man is a beast

Not since the Vancouver series.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Did not know that, thanks.

So yeah, basically you need to be a goalie who dragged teams through to an “almost” Cup to have any chance

Only one skater has ever "won" the Conn Smythe while playing for the losing side, and it was Reggie Leach with Philly, the year he set the single-season playoff goals record (19). The others to do it were all goalies.

Connor would have to set a new record to have any chance - should Edmonton go on to lose, that is. If they win, he's as big a lock as it gets.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Theoretically, if it goes 6 games and he gets 15 points in those 6 games, I can see it.

However, if it's a sweep, regardless of how many points he puts up, he shouldn't win it. That would be embarrassing for the league.

 

[MacMacandBarbie]

If McDavid sets the assist record, ends with 40+ points while the next panther can't even crack 30?

Yeah, and its pretty silly that this thread is full of people dismissing this very likely possibility.

 

[shizovitch]

If Florida wins then its Barkov's or Bob's to lose. Not McD's to win..