Conn Smythe Candidates 2026
Result — Updated July 17, 2026
Jordan Staal won the 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy as the Carolina Hurricanes captured the Stanley Cup, beating the Vegas Golden Knights 4–2 in the Final. The original pre-playoff watchlist is preserved below.
With the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs scheduled to begin on April 18, 2026, the best early Conn Smythe content is a watchlist: the scorers, defenders, and goalies most likely to own the story if their teams make a deep run.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid
If Edmonton goes on a deep run, the playoff scoring ceiling is obvious.
Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl
He is always one hot series away from becoming the center of the Conn Smythe conversation.
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon
Few players can tilt an entire series with speed, pace, and shot volume the way he can.
Colorado Avalanche
Cale Makar
If Colorado dominates territorially, Makar will be in the middle of almost every key shift.
Winnipeg Jets
Connor Hellebuyck
A dominant goalie run always creates real Conn Smythe momentum.
Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel
Vegas has enough structure that a two-way star can become the face of the run quickly.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews
If Toronto finally breaks through, Matthews will be central to the story instantly.
New York Rangers
Igor Shesterkin
Elite goalie stretches can rewrite an entire bracket.
Go deeper on the playoff picture
Compare the bracket, check team rosters, and look up player stats before the biggest series begin.
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Bring playoff fans back after the first search
Conn Smythe traffic spikes once the postseason starts. Email reminders turn that attention into repeat visits.