NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman stands next to the Conn Smythe Trophy. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Stanley Cup playoffs have begun. Actually, they are well underway.
The first round is in the history books and a lot of hockey has already been played.
When things are all said and done, one player will win the Conn Smythe Award, which is given to the postseason MVP.
With that, here are 11 early players in the running for the Conn Smythe:
Edmonton Oilers F Connor McDavid
Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
McDavid is leading the postseason with 14 points after Round 1. Easily puts him near the top, not to mention he’s the face of hockey and the NHL.
Florida Panthers F Carter Verhaeghe
Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Verhaeghe is the Panthers’ MVP so far with 12 points, second-most behind McDavid. Of those points, three are game-winning goals as well.
New York Rangers F Mika Zibanejad
Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Hard to argue Zibanejad wasn’t clutch in the first round. With the Rangers’ backs against the wall, Zibanejad had seven points in Games 6 and 7 combined.
Colorado Avalanche D Cale Makar
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Makar was the best two-way defenseman in the league during the regular season. With 10 playoff points in a clean sweep of the Nashville Predators in Round 1? Firmly still there.
Calgary Flames G Jacob Markstrom
Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Markstrom is a Vezina finalist and playing much better than the other one still alive in the playoffs (Igor Shesterkin). Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger was the better goalie vs. Markstrom in Round 1 but that was based on volume of work. Markstrom can only play the hand he’s dealt and so far he has a playoff-best 1.53 goals against average and .943 save percent (3rd).
St. Louis Blues G Jordan Binnington
Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
Stats and future-casting here. Binnington has a .943 save % (2nd) and 1.67 GAA. Also, if the Blues make it past the Avs in Round 2? Binnington will have to play out of his mind, so he makes the watch list.
Colorado Avalanche F Nathan MacKinnon
Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
MacKinnon only has six total points but five of those were goals in the first round. Note: A four-game Round 1 since the Avs swept. More games and MacKinnon likely has more notches.
New York Rangers D Adam Fox
Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Fox has been as steady as they come. He’s at 10 points through the first round, including a four-point outing against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Edmonton Oilers G Mike Smith
Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Oilers go where McDavid takes them but Smith has played well. He has two shutouts and leads the NHL playoffs in goals saved above expected (10.4), according to ESPN.
Carolina Hurricanes D Jaccob Slavin
Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Slavin doesn’t have double-digit points from the blue line like Makar and Fox, but he’s doing well. He has eight total points, but leads defenders with seven of those points coming during 5-on-5 play, according to Yahoo Sports.
Calgary Flames F Johnny Gaudreau
Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau (13) Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
So far Gaudreau has only eight points after a long seven-game series. However, his two goals were both game winners, not to mention the one in Game 7.
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