Conn Smythe Watch: Rantanen Leads the Pack
As the Stanley Cup playoffs heat up, the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the postseason MVP, is beginning to take shape. With one round completed and eight teams already packing their bags, the spotlight is shining brightly on a few standout players. Among them, one player has emerged as a frontrunner, setting records and capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Let’s dive into the first Conn Smythe Watch of the 2025 postseason. Remember, the Conn Smythe is awarded based on a player’s performance throughout the entire postseason, not just the final series. The winner is chosen by an 18-person panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members. We’ve gathered insights from over a dozen writers still covering the playoffs to get a sense of the top contenders for this prestigious award.
The Current MVP
Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars
Mikko Rantanen’s “Revenge Tour” against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, concluded in spectacular fashion. Rantanen racked up 11 points in the last three games of the series, including five goals and six assists. His third-period hat trick and an assist on Wyatt Johnston‘s game-tying goal with less than four minutes left in regulation were pivotal in the Stars’ Game 7 victory.
Rantanen made history as the first player in NHL history to record four-point periods in back-to-back games, whether in the regular season or playoffs. He also became the first player to score a third-period hat trick in a Game 7 and the first to tally at least 10 points in Games 5 through 7 of a series. Overall, Rantanen has accumulated 12 points through seven games.
Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill secured Rantanen with an eight-year, $96 million contract extension after acquiring him from the Carolina Hurricanes. Rantanen’s regular-season dominance, with 705 points in 652 career games, and his reputation as a clutch playoff performer, with 113 points in 88 career postseason games, made him a valuable asset.
Rantanen was ranked first on all but one ballot collected from our voters, making him the clear favorite for playoff MVP at this stage, and deservedly so.
The Other Favorites
Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
While Rantanen leads the pack, both Kyle Connor and Connor McDavid are making strong cases for themselves. Connor, the Jets winger, notched 12 points in seven games against the St. Louis Blues, outshining his team’s goaltending issues. He played a crucial role in Winnipeg’s first-round victory, especially in Game 7, where he assisted on Cole Perfetti‘s two goals and contributed to Adam Lowry‘s double-overtime winner.
Connor McDavid, the reigning Conn Smythe winner, continues to shine in the playoffs. Despite Edmonton’s seven-game loss in the Stanley Cup Final to Florida last year, McDavid’s playoff performance remains stellar. Over the past five seasons, he has amassed 110 points in 63 playoff games, surpassing teammate Leon Draisaitl by 14 points.
McDavid led the Oilers with 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in their opening-round win against the Los Angeles Kings. Although his points-per-game average dipped slightly against the Kings, he remains a formidable force in the playoffs.
Our voters had McDavid slightly ahead of Connor on their ballots, but both are clear second and third choices behind Rantanen at this point in the postseason.
Making Their Cases
William Nylander, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals
William Nylander has been a standout performer for the Toronto Maple Leafs, helping them advance past Ottawa in the first round and securing a Game 1 victory against the Florida Panthers. Nylander has been a key contributor, with 20 goals in 36 playoff games since 2020-21, outscoring even Auston Matthews during that span.
Logan Thompson, the Capitals’ goalie, has also made a strong impression. Despite being helped off the ice in Game 3 against Montreal, Thompson returned to lead Washington to victories in Games 4 and 5, boasting a .923 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average.
These players have been mentioned on our voters’ ballots, but there are others who could easily play their way into the conversation as the postseason continues.
On the Cusp
- Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers: Bouchard is close to leading defensemen in postseason points, with nine points in seven games.
- Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights: Both players have been instrumental for Vegas, with Stone leading the team in goals.
- Wyatt Johnston and Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars: Johnston has been a key contributor alongside Rantanen, while Oettinger has been solid in goal.
- Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs: Marner is right behind Nylander with nine points in seven games.
- Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers: Bennett leads the Panthers with four goals in six games.
- Frederik Andersen and Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes: Andersen has been a brick wall in goal, while Slavin has been a defensive stalwart.
- Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome, Washington Capitals: Ovechkin continues to be a force, while Strome leads the Capitals in points.
As the playoffs progress, these players and others will have the opportunity to make their mark and potentially claim the Conn Smythe Trophy. Stay tuned as the race for playoff MVP unfolds.
Originally Written by: Greg Wyshynski
