Conn Smythe Or Bust

THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO

For starters, the Hart Trophy doesn't get this type of reaction.

It's an interesting debate - what has more value, the Hart Trophy or the Conn Smythe Trophy.

To be sure, more prestige has been associated with the Hart over the years, perhaps because it recognizes excellence over an 82-game schedule, and perhaps because it includes candidates - at least in theory - from 30 teams.

The Conn Smythe, by contrast, is chosen from one of two teams, the Cup finalists, after a two-month elimination tournament.

Which would you rather win?

Alex Ovechkin, you have to believe, is going to be named this year's Hart winner, although its fair to say the playoffs exposed his, uh, lack of enthusiasm for defensive play compared to his over-the-top exuberance when it comes to goal-scoring.

And the Conn Smythe? It's a little trickier this spring because of the roller coaster nature of the final in which even the best performers have had their down moments.

Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, for example, nearly got himself suspended for his late-game shenanigans in Game 2 when he jumped Henrik Zetterberg.

At other times, he has been utterly unstoppable.

He would be the favourite for the Conn Smythe if Pittsburgh wins, although you'd have to take a long look at goalie Marc-Andre Fleury if he comes up big tonight.

If Detroit wins, it could be either goaltender Chris Osgood or Henrik Zetterberg, again depending on what happens tonight.

The Game 7 situation makes this even more intriguing. A panel of members from the Professional Hockey Writers Association will make the choice, but if the game is close to the final minutes, its going to be difficult to get the vote in early enough to be able to announce it immediately after the game on the ice.

Could be a big day for hockey in many ways. The crowning of a new champion, the recognition of a new playoff warrior and - cringe factor large here for Gary Bettman - a big decision on the proposed movement of the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton. 

Comments

[Steve]

Slightly off topic, but why would the judge in Phoenix decide to rule on the relocation fee, if he wasn't planning on letting RIM relocate the team?

Is that revelation not an admission that he's going to rule in favor of the sale? Seems pretty self evident.

[mark]

No mention of Crosby for Conn Smythe? Malkin looks flashier but Syd the Kid is the man for my money. He's doing it all at both ends of the ice and is spending an enormous amount of time in front of Detroits net where lesser mortals fear to tread. To me, this is a kid who leads by example. I predict something big from Crosby tonight; big enough to outshine the other contenders.

[holden_cox]

dont know which pic of Messier is scarier. that one with the Conn Smythe or the one of him in a bathtowel and beer with Webster. http://9.media.tumblr.com/I3rz80gzomb1igcxntShgYw8o1_500.jpg

[Conn Smythe]

'Which would you rather win?'

No contest - the Conn Smythe trophy. The ultimate play - off hockey trophy, second only to winning the Cup.

[Rory]

The Conn Smythe has enhanced value because of its association with the Holy Grail: The Stanley Cup. You hardly ever win one without also winning the other.

But I still think the Hart is the more valuable trophy. Why? Look at who has won both trophies over the years and you see that the winner of the Hart reads like a Hockey Hall of Fame who's who, while some foot soldiers have their name on the Smythe (Claude Lemieux comes to mind). I am glad that lesser stars can rise to prominence in the playoffs and be recognized for it, but the best are the best and the Hart is the proof of that.

The real debate, I think, is whether the Hart of the Pearson should carry more weight.

[Mike]

Seems kind of simple.. in most cases, if you win the Conn Smythe you've also won the Stanley Cup, and isn't that what everybody plays for?

[Stephen]

Conn Smythe, because odds are very good that if I win that, I've also won the Cup itself.

[Kyle Durham]

Conn Smythe for sure. The ultimate prize is the Cup if you win the Smythe you either won the cup or put up an amzing effort losing in the finals (J.S. Giguere in 03). The Hart means nothing if you don't win a stanley cup.. just something to look back on when you career is over.

[Billy Charlesbois]

Ron Hextall also won the Smythe for a losing team (87 Flyers) which I remember left a few of the Oilers scratching their heads a bit after it was announced, although their surprise was short-lived, as they went out and partied with the real prize - STANLEY, the rest of the summer.
But yeah, I'd prefer to win the Smythe because 99.9 percent of the time it means your team also just won the Cup.

[Sanj]

@mark

Sid has been good but Malkin has been better. He has clearly led in this finals for the Pens.