Disclaimer: I do am not claiming that the Stanley Cup has been already awarded and the heroes associated with this championship consigned to history. After losing a wad of cash when I bet against the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS, I am the last person to declare a victory before a victory is won. If Edmonton does crawl back into the series, it will be because of a Herculean effort by the likes of Pronger, Smyth and Horcoff, not to mention goaltending above that which we have witnessed thus far. This might happen, but I write this on the premise that it will not likely come to pass.
Now that that's out of the way, let's look at the potential candidates for this year's Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player to his team in these playoffs.
Cam Ward
Here we have one of the most obvious contenders. A rookie goaltender who took over from the consensus number one in the regular season, the 22-year-old Ward has been a beacon of poise and consistency for the already potent Hurricanes. He has allowed his team a chance to win in virtually every game. With a .924 save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average over 20 games, he has the numbers which certainly put him in the same breath as Conn Smythe winners past. However, he hasn't had to steal many games for his team, as Bill Ranford, Patrick Roy and J-S Giguere had done on a regular basis during their winning years. This is a strike against him, though not a big one.
Eric Staal
There is no doubt that Staal is the best and most talented hockey player who is still lacing them up this season. He has shown to be dominant when his team needs him and this is indicated by his share of the point scoring leadership in the post-season. But the best player is not necessarly the most valuable one, and this might be the case with Staal's bid for the Conn Smythe in 2006. Still, you could do far worse than having his name join up with those the legends of the game.
Cory Stillman
Sportsnet's Hockey Central have been touting this previously unheralded journeyman as the next Conn Smythe winner, but I have my reservations. Yes, he is on a 12-game points streak. Yes, he is tied for the league lead in points. Yes, he has been playing better hockey with each successive round and saved his best for the finals. But there is another player who has also elevated his game, who has had timely scoring, who has played plenty of minutes, and who is more deserving, and that player is ...
Rod Brind'Amour
If Brind'Amour doesn't win the Conn Smythe (provided that the Hurricanes win either Game 5 or 6), then an inquiry should be made. Not only does he lead the NHL in goals scored, but many of those were scored at such key moments of the game as I wonder why he hasn't been officially declared MVP already. Stillman plays 20 minutes a game; Brind'Amour plays those same 20 minutes plus every PK. He takes all important faceoffs. He hits, he blocks shots, he draws the opposition's to defensive specialists away from Carolina's other offensive powers. Most importantly, he is the heart and soul of the franchise, the one instilling levity to the team when momentum begins to sway against their favour. He is as much of a leader as this game has ever seen.
Moreover, just as Bob Gainey in 1979 and Scott Stevens in 2000, Brind'Amour would be the perfect representative for this well-balanced team who don't rely on any one person to carry the team on his shoulders.
And while I'm on Gainey, I could also mention that this might be the first time since 1979 that a Selke Trophy winner double up with a Conn Smythe as well.
On a personal note, if this comes to light, it will be the second consecutive season that alumnus from my high school take home this trophy (Brad Richards having attended Notre Dame College a year after I attended), a thought that allows me a little bit of pride.
Honourable mentions:
Could a goaltender who dominated three playoff series be considered a candidate for MVP? It's a shame to admit that, no, it isn't possible. But if Dwayne Roloson is given the Conn Smythe at the end of the playoffs, you won't hear me complaining.
I can't say the same for Chris Pronger, who enjoyed one of the most dominant playoffs by a defenseman since Scott Stevens in 2000 all the way through to the Campbell Bowl victory, but hasn't been the same since. If the Oil can pull out a couple of games and win 'er all - or even lose in seven - Pronger would be as deserving as anyone.
