Two teams remain in the chase for the Stanley Cup, meaning the next Conn Smythe Trophy winner will come from either the Carolina Hurricanes or the Vegas Golden Knights as the Stanley Cup Final begins, according to ESPN. The Conn Smythe is awarded for performance over the entire postseason and is voted on by an 18-person panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members.
Jack Eichel ranks among the contenders. He is second in the playoffs with 18 points and leads the field with 16 assists. Eichel recorded nine points in Vegas’s first-round series against Utah and assisted on two of the Golden Knights’ three overtime goals during the run to the Final. A voter noted that Eichel’s 200-foot game and playoff point total could carry weight if Vegas wins the series. Eichel finished second to Jonathan Marchessault in the Conn Smythe voting when Vegas won the Cup in 2023.
Logan Stankoven, listed fifth in the current standings, has played three NHL seasons and is now in the Stanley Cup Final after making the conference finals with both Dallas and Carolina. The 23-year-old is second in the postseason with nine goals, seven at even strength, and appeared on just over 30 percent of the ballots. His line with Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake was described as the playoffs’ most dominating trio, and coach Rod Brind’Amour said, ‘I’m going to be honest, I did not think that was going to necessarily work when we first threw it together, and it was immediate.’
Goalie Carter Hart is listed fourth. He appeared on a smaller percentage of ballots than Stankoven but received one first-place vote. Hart has a .924 save percentage and 7.7 goals saved above expected, with his save percentage rising from .898 against Utah to .935 against Anaheim to .944 in the sweep of Colorado. Coach John Tortorella praised Hart’s mental strength, saying he ‘is just zeroed in.’ The article notes Hart joined the Golden Knights after being one of five 2018 Canada world junior players acquitted of sexual assault in July 2025; the NHL reinstated those players and Hart signed a two-year deal with Vegas after becoming eligible to play again Dec. 1.
Taylor Hall ranks third in the current Conn Smythe consideration. Hall has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points to lead the Hurricanes and appeared on more than 56 percent of ballots, receiving one first-place vote. He has provided physical play — including a hit that removed Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson from their first-round series — and has been credited by the coaching staff for his impact in Carolina’s postseason push.
