The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs have reached their conclusion, with the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers set to compete for the championship trophy. A key individual from one of these teams will be awarded the Conn Smythe, presented to the most valuable player of the postseason.
Previously, Mikko Rantanen held the top spot in the Conn Smythe considerations. However, following the elimination of the Dallas Stars, the race for postseason MVP now has a new frontrunner.
To gauge the current standing, we surveyed more than two dozen national and beat writers covering the Stanley Cup Final, asking for their top three MVP choices based on performance through the first three rounds. The Conn Smythe Trophy acknowledges performance across the entire playoff run, not just the final series, and is determined by an 18-member panel from the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The Current MVP Leader
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid, who earned the Conn Smythe despite his team losing in the previous postseason, enters the Final as the overwhelming favorite. His strong lead suggests he could potentially win the award again, regardless of the series outcome.
McDavid has surpassed Rantanen to claim the top position, climbing from third place in our previous survey before the conference finals. He was the sole player to appear on every single ballot collected, ranking first on 71% of them. Any ballot that didn`t list McDavid as number one placed him second.
Heading into the Final, the Oilers captain boasts 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 16 games. He was particularly impactful against the Dallas Stars, recording points in every game and accumulating nine points during the five-game series victory. Two of his goals against Dallas were game-winners.
One voter commented, “`McDavid won me over in the last series.`”
Last postseason, McDavid became only the second non-goalie in NHL history to receive the Conn Smythe in a losing effort, as the Oilers were defeated in Game 7 by the Panthers. He is now aiming to become the fourth player ever, and the first since Sidney Crosby (2016-17), to win back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophies.
Given the current level of support from voters, there`s a possibility he could again be named playoff MVP even if his team doesn`t win the Cup. However, experiencing that outcome again is likely the last thing McDavid desires.
The Other Favorites
Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers
Should someone other than McDavid win, Florida`s Sergei Bobrovsky, known as `Playoff Bob,` appears to be the strongest candidate among his Panthers teammates.
Bobrovsky`s playoff statistics include a .912 save percentage and a 2.11 goals-against average. He demonstrated exceptional form in the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, posting a save percentage of .920 or better in four out of five games. His only statistically weaker game in his last nine appearances (dating back to the second round) was their series-clinching win, the only one where he allowed more than two goals. Bobrovsky is tied for the postseason lead with three shutouts, alongside Edmonton`s Stuart Skinner.
Bobrovsky was clearly the second choice among our surveyed voters, receiving four first-place votes for the award.
One voter commented, “`If Florida wins, I assume it`ll be because Bob is amazing.`”
Aleksander Barkov leads the Panthers in scoring with 17 points (including six goals) through 17 games. His impact is evident, particularly in Game 5 against Carolina, where his relentless forecheck contributed directly to the series-winning goal in the final minutes. When Barkov is on the ice at 5-on-5, the Panthers account for 57% of both the goals scored and the expected goals.
Florida`s captain was ranked first on one ballot and featured on 63% of all ballots surveyed. While he appeared on more ballots than Bobrovsky (58%), Bobrovsky received higher average placements, placing him higher overall in the ranking.
Notably, Barkov finished second to McDavid in last season`s Conn Smythe voting despite not receiving any first-place votes himself.
Making Their Cases
Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers
Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl garnered the most support among players outside the top three, though there was a noticeable gap in total votes between him and Barkov. Draisaitl was included on 42% of the ballots but received only one first-place vote.
The Oilers` co-star is just one point behind McDavid with 25 points through 16 games, and he has scored one more goal (seven) than McDavid in the playoffs. If Draisaitl delivers a standout performance in the Stanley Cup Final and Edmonton secures the championship, he could potentially surpass McDavid for the MVP award.
One voter suggested, “`This should probably be a top four thanks to Draisaitl.`”
Sam Bennett stands out as the clear third option from the Panthers. He appeared on 20% of the surveyed ballots and received two second-place votes. Similar to Draisaitl, he is only one point shy of his team`s scoring leader (16 points in 17 games).
Bennett leads all players in the playoffs with 10 goals and has consistently provided a physical presence for the Panthers throughout every series. As an upcoming unrestricted free agent, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy would significantly boost his market value.
On the Cusp
Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, F, Edmonton Oilers
Seth Jones, D, Florida Panthers
Brad Marchand, LW, Florida Panthers
Evan Bouchard was the only player in this group to be included on multiple ballots, receiving exclusively third-place votes. He is tied for fifth overall in playoff scoring with 17 points, making him by far the highest-scoring defenseman in the postseason; 13 of those points were recorded at even strength. He leads all Oilers in average ice time (25:01 per game) and holds a plus-9 rating.
The remaining players in this tier each received a single third-place vote.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ranks third on the Oilers with 18 points through 16 games. He notably scored the game-winning goal in the crucial Game 2 victory against the Stars.
Seth Jones has contributed seven points in 17 games for the Panthers and holds a plus-9 rating. Although he plays on what is nominally the second defensive pairing, Jones leads Florida in average ice time per game at 24:59.
Finally, Brad Marchand has been a significant contributor lower in the Panthers` lineup, with 14 points in 17 games. He brings his characteristic blend of hustle, agitation, and offense to his fourth appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. He also scored what was arguably the most critical goal for the Panthers this postseason: the overtime winner in Game 3 against Toronto, when they were trailing 2-0 in the series.
One voter even highlighted Marchand`s linemate as a dark horse candidate, stating, “`Eutu Luostarinen would legit be fourth for me.`” Luostarinen has 13 points in 17 games.
Lack of Buzz Among Voters
Stuart Skinner, G, Edmonton Oilers
Sam Reinhart, F, Florida Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk, RW, Florida Panthers
Carter Verhaeghe, LW, Florida Panthers
Despite being listed among the top 10 players by ESPN BET for winning the MVP award before the Stanley Cup Final, none of these players received a single vote on any of the ballots we collected.
Tkachuk (16 points in 17 games) and Verhaeghe (14 points in 17 games) are both significant contributors and among the Panthers` leading scorers, with Verhaeghe having netted two game-winning goals in the playoffs. Verhaeghe received one Conn Smythe vote last postseason, whereas Tkachuk received none. Reinhart is close behind in scoring, with 13 points in 15 games, having missed a couple of games due to injury against Carolina.
Stuart Skinner`s situation serves as a prime example of why the Conn Smythe award accounts for performance throughout the entire playoffs. Skinner endured struggles earlier in the postseason, including being temporarily replaced by Calvin Pickard, before returning against Vegas in the second round after Pickard`s injury. Since Game 4 against the Golden Knights, Skinner has been exceptional, posting a 6-1 record with a .944 save percentage, a 1.41 goals-against average, and three shutouts.
While an outstanding performance in the Stanley Cup Final could potentially offset Skinner`s earlier challenges, he would still face the significant hurdle of surpassing Connor McDavid for the overall playoff MVP title. According to the ballots surveyed, McDavid currently holds a substantial lead in the voting.
