NHL Conn Smythe Front Runners Mitch Marner, Frederik Andersen Are Changing Opinions With Each Game
The Conn Smythe Trophy is a highly coveted award in the NHL and is given "to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs."
In these Stanley Cup playoffs, there are a few names that would rightly fit that description and have solidified themselves as Conn Smythe Trophy front-runners as we inch closer to the conference finals.
Funny enough, two of those players were longtime members of the Toronto Maple Leafs once upon a time. Yet, they could arguably be considered the best skater and goaltender of this post-season.
'The Leafs Should Have Kept Him Happier': Mitch Marner's Revenge Tour Continues With First-Ever Conference Final Appearance
With a playoff-leading 18 points for the Vegas Golden Knights, the former whipping boy of the Toronto Maple Leafs is rewriting a narrative. But let's not let one good post-season rewrite nine years of futility.
As for Andersen, he's been just as impressive, if not even more so, with his play in the crease for the Hurricanes.
Andersen played five memorable seasons in Toronto, evolving into a star goaltender in some campaigns.
In the post-season as a member of the Maple Leafs, Andersen's numbers are certainly respectable and were better than his regular-season contributions in some years.
Though he never saw the second round with Toronto, his best playoff campaign for the Leafs was actually in the qualifying round against the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he posted a 1.84 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage.
However, his statistics this year for Carolina don't compare to anything he's accomplished in his NHL career at 36 years old.
What Will Andersen's Phenomenal NHL Playoff Campaign Fetch Him In Free Agency?
Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen's spectacular post-season dominance has silenced his critics while propelling Carolina toward a Stanley Cup. But what will the veteran netminder get on the open market when he becomes a UFA this summer?
The Hurricanes booked their place in the Eastern Conference final almost one week ago on Saturday after sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers. That's in addition to sweeping the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs.
Therefore, Carolina has quite literally been perfect so far in this post-season, with Andersen backstopping the Canes every step of the way.
Along with his flawless 8-0 record in these playoffs, Andersen has also registered an astounding 1.12 GAA and a .950 SP. He also hasn't allowed more than two goals in a game so far and has posted a pair of shutouts.
Before May 14 playoff action, BetMGM listed Andersen as the second favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy at 5.75 (+475) odds. Marner is available at 16.00 (+1500) on the seventh-best odds.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 8:58 AM.