How many wingers have won the Conn Smythe?
Connor McDavid is having a Stanley Cup playoffs run for the ages. He has 42 points during the postseason, fourth-most in NHL history. He's carried the Edmonton Oilers to within a game of winning the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final since 1990. As a result, he's put himself firmly in the driver's seat for the Conn Smythe trophy.
Last season, it was Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault who won the award. Although he didn't score a ridiculous amount of points to win the trophy, he did score 13 goals and 25 points. It led Vegas to their first championship in franchise history, turning him into a Golden Knights legend.
While it's unlikely a winger takes home the trophy again this year, that begs the question of how many wingers have won the prestigious trophy. Being a postseason MVP in the NHL is vastly different than leagues like the NBA and MLB, for your work is judged throughout the postseason. It adds more incentive for players to play their best, for they can add lucrative hardward to their collection.
With that, let's look at how many wingers have won the Conn Smythe. After all, you can't win a hockey game without scoring goals, especially during the postseason. How many wingers have established themselves as the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs?
10 different wingers have been named the postseason MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs overall. That includes Jonathan Marchessault winning the prestigious title last season. Included in his 25 points were three power play goals and power play assists.
Eight right wingers (including Marchessault) have won the award, while only two left wingers have taken home the hardware. Those two players are Bob Gainey (1979) and Alexander Ovechkin (2018... against the Vegas Golden Knights). As for the voting last season, the "Golden Misfit" received 13 first-place votes and five second-place votes.
Position-wise, the Conn Smythe trophy has been awarded to centers the most, with 19 different players winning the award. Goaltenders have won it 17 times, while defensemen took home the hardware 12 times. Sadly, wingers don't get much love in the voting process.
This looks like the season where a center takes home the award after the Stanley Cup Final is done. Still, last season's trophy is a nice prize for a "Misfit" who's given Las Vegas everything. After all, there wouldn't be a Stanley Cup without his crucial contributions. Here's to enjoying the last night of being the reigning playoff MVP, Marchessault!
