Early Conn Smythe Favourites

[ijuka]

Oilers: Bouchard
Stars: Heiskanen
Rangers: Trocheck
Panthers: Barkov

 

[TheBeard]

Money puck has Shestyorkin saving 3.6 more goals above expected in 3 less games.

otter has a chance to shut down the reigning cup champs and the two (maybe three) best players in the NHL. Sheisty had an aging Washington team. It also helps that he’s been incredible in the two series clinching wins.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Shesterkin
Barkov
Johnston
Pickard

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

otter has a chance to shut down the reigning cup champs and the two (maybe three) best players in the NHL. Sheisty had an aging Washington team. It also helps that he’s been incredible in the two series clinching wins.

People act like Vegas is so great. Didn’t they barely squeak into the playoffs? Even Nashville (one of my best arguments for not expanding the playoffs) was in before them.

I’d consider Vegas and Washington to be pretty similar in caliber. Vegas was not good this year. They weren’t this big scary team that won the Cup last year. Different year. Different team.

 

[thefutures]

Barkov shesterkin wyatt johnston/heiskanen and Draisaitl anything else is narrative based

 

[bobbythebrain]

Makar won with 29 points. Bouchard is on pace to becoming the all time scoring defenseman ever in a playoffs.

Pretty sure that puts him as a frontrunner

 

[Buck Naked]

Makar won with 29 points. Bouchard is on pace to becoming the all time scoring defenseman ever in a playoffs.

Pretty sure that puts him as a frontrunner

Makar didn't have a Draisaitl or McDavid to keep up with him on his team though.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I'd put my money on Mack because Makar already won

That would be a waste of your money.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Makar won with 29 points. Bouchard is on pace to becoming the all time scoring defenseman ever in a playoffs.

Pretty sure that puts him as a frontrunner

Makar was clearly the best player on that team. Nobody watching these games thinks Bouchard's been the Oilers best player.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

That would be a waste of your money.

Well duh! they are eliminated LMAO

 

[Golden_Jet]

Well duh! they are eliminated LMAO

Thanks tips, that was the point.

 

[sportsdynasty]

Bouchard has clearly been the best player for the Oilers. The only Oiler close to Bouchard these playoffs is Leon Draisaitl.

Makar was clearly the best player on that team. Nobody watching these games thinks Bouchard's been the Oilers best player.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Makar won with 29 points. Bouchard is on pace to becoming the all time scoring defenseman ever in a playoffs.

Pretty sure that puts him as a frontrunner

Why don't you bet your money then? Serious question.

You made a good point that Bouchard is on a better pace, but have failed to realize two things.

1. Mcdavid and Drai are out pacing Mack and Rantanen
2. Bouchard had an excellent series where everything went right offensively. He will probably not keep that pace up

Bouchard has clearly been the best player for the Oilers. The only Oiler close to Bouchard these playoffs is Leon Draisaitl.

No he hasn't

 

[TheBeard]

People act like Vegas is so great. Didn’t they barely squeak into the playoffs? Even Nashville (one of my best arguments for not expanding the playoffs) was in before them.

I’d consider Vegas and Washington to be pretty similar in caliber. Vegas was not good this year. They weren’t this big scary team that won the Cup last year. Different year. Different team.

Vegas is a MUCH better team than Washington. They gave Dallas a way tougher time than Colorado did.

 

[Idiot Stick]

Obviously Dmitry Kulikov

 

[bossram]

How I think the voting would go for each team, at this point:

EDM: Draisaitl
DAL: Heiskanen
NYR: Shesterkin
FLA: Barkov

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Vegas is a MUCH better team than Washington. They gave Dallas a way tougher time than Colorado did.

Color me skeptical Vegas is any good.

Seems like we've gotten the two best in the East and two best in the West into the final 4 this year. I think the regular season has pretty close to mimicked the playoffs so far this year. Ergo, Vegas of the regular season was pretty much the Vegas of the playoffs.

 

[thegazelle]

Bouchard seems to be clutch these playoffs. A defenseman with 20 points in 12 games, with a number of key goals - he has definitely been noteworthy and a very significant contributor

 

[TheBeard]

Color me skeptical Vegas is any good.

Seems like we've gotten the two best in the East and two best in the West into the final 4 this year. I think the regular season has pretty close to mimicked the playoffs so far this year. Ergo, Vegas of the regular season was pretty much the Vegas of the playoffs.

Vegas in the regular season never fielded a full roster.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Vegas in the regular season never fielded a full roster.

And the guys they were using in the playoffs were hurt anyway.

 

[TheBeard]

And the guys they were using in the playoffs were hurt anyway.

Make no mistake. This team would have demolished Washington in 4 games.

 

[dalewood12]

I have the Stars winning the Cup, which could make the Conn Smythe race hard to pick, sort of reminiscent of the 2023 Bolts, 2021 Lightning or 2016 Pens where half the team could win.

 

[Juxta Position]

Vegas in the regular season never fielded a full roster.

because they couldn't...a full roster is 10 million over the cap. And they won't be able to next season either has they have to let someone go to keep Hertl.

 

[TheBeard]

because they couldn't...a full roster is 10 million over the cap. And they won't be able to next season either has they have to let someone go to keep Hertl.

That's my point. Basing who they were in the playoffs on who they were in the regular season is a waste of time.

 

[NVious]

JT Miller should win it, he completely turned the Canucks around with his spectacular play and basically played with an ECHL team due to injuries and other players disappearing.