Oilers’ Connor McDavid wins Conn Smythe Trophy despite not capturing Stanley Cup

Connor McDavid has joined an exclusive club, but he won’t be overly happy about it.

The Edmonton Oilers star was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after his team lost 2-1 to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Final on Monday in Sunrise, Fla.

McDavid, 27, is just the sixth player in history to win the Conn Smythe after his team didn’t capture the Cup. He’s the first since Anaheim Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere in 2003.

McDavid also is only the second skater to take the prize after not winning the Cup, following Reggie Leach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1976.

The Oilers captain had a record 34 assists to go along with eight goals for 42 points in 25 playoff games. He finished with 10 more points than the second-leading scorer in the 2024 playoffs, teammate Evan Bouchard.

McDavid was held off the scoresheet in the final two games after he had consecutive four-point games to lead the Oilers back from a 3-0 series deficit.

McDavid adds the Conn Smythe to a huge awards collection. He is a three-time winner of the Hart Trophy as regular-season MVP and is a five-time Art Ross Trophy winner as the league’s top scorer.