Conn Smythe Trophy Race: Favorites for the 2025 NHL Playoffs MVP
The excitement of the 2025 NHL postseason is at its peak, with four teams competing for the coveted Stanley Cup. Simultaneously, the race for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the playoffs is more competitive than ever. We analyze the main contenders for the Conn Smythe Trophy, based on the assessments of experts and analysts.
Below, we present the latest Conn Smythe Watch for the 2025 postseason. For this edition, we consulted with twenty national writers and analysts covering the conference finals, requesting their top three MVP candidates after the first two rounds of play. The votes were collected and tabulated before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
It is crucial to remember that the Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the player with the most outstanding performance during the entire postseason, not just during the final series. A panel of 18 members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association is in charge of the voting.
The Current Leader: Mikko Rantanen
Mikko Rantanen, the talented right winger for the Dallas Stars, is positioned as the main candidate for the Conn Smythe for the second consecutive round. His performance has been fundamental for the Stars to reach their third consecutive conference final. In 13 postseason games, Rantanen leads all playoff scorers with 19 points, including nine goals, the most in the playoffs.
Rantanen was the only player to appear on all the ballots of the writers consulted. A revealing fact is that only two voters placed him in a position other than first place. Stars coach Peter DeBoer described Rantanen as a player “on a mission.” His performance against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, was notable, and he also wreaked havoc against the Winnipeg Jets, scoring a hat-trick in the first game of the series.
Although his production slightly decreased in the last games of the series, his previous impact consolidated him as the undisputed MVP in the eyes of the analysts. Rantanen established a historical record in the NHL by being the first player to register five three-point games in his team’s first 10 playoff games in a single postseason. In addition, he participated in 15 of Dallas’s 16 goals at one point.
“It’s almost hard to believe the dominance he has shown.”
Voter
A key aspect to consider is the narrative surrounding Rantanen. His “revenge tour” against the Avalanche, the team that traded him, is part of a larger story about his ability to thrive as an offensive star without the presence of figures like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
“When you think about his journey this year, he’s been through a lot. A lot has been written about him. A lot has been said about him. There have been a lot of skeptics out there.”
Peter DeBoer, coach of the Dallas Stars
So far, Rantanen has silenced his critics.
Other Favorites
Frederik Andersen, goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes, and Connor McDavid, center for the Edmonton Oilers, are also emerging as strong contenders. It is important to note that the voting took place before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Andersen was the second-most voted option, receiving 47% of the votes for MVP. Before Game 1, he had conceded only 12 goals in nine games, with a save percentage of .937 and a goals-against average of 1.36.
McDavid, for his part, seeks to become the fourth player to win the Conn Smythe in consecutive years. In 11 games, he has accumulated 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists). His average of 1.55 points per game is the highest among the players still active in the postseason. The Oilers’ ability to advance without relying exclusively on McDavid and Leon Draisaitl may have influenced the voting.
Featured Candidates
Jake Oettinger, goalkeeper for the Dallas Stars, and Leon Draisaitl, center for the Edmonton Oilers, have also received a significant number of votes.
Oettinger, despite having appeared on few ballots, had a crucial impact on the Stars’ victories against Winnipeg. Draisaitl, for his part, is just behind McDavid in scoring, with 5 goals and 11 assists in 11 games. His overtime goals and his two-way play make him a formidable contender.
In the Fight
Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes, Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes, Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers, and Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers are also in the conversation.
Bobrovsky and Marchand have proven their worth in crucial moments. Svechnikov has been an offensive force, and Slavin has had an outstanding season.
Honorable Mentions
Seth Jones and Eetu Luostarinen of the Florida Panthers also deserve recognition for their performance.
