Carolina Hurricanes: Top 5 Conn Smythe Candidates

RALEIGH, NC - MAY 01: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on May 1, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MAY 01: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on May 1, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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RALEIGH, NC – MAY 01: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on May 1, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MAY 01: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on May 1, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Conn Smythe trophy is handed out at the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs to the league’s most valuable player in the playoffs. Today, we look at who could potentially be awarded the Conn Smythe trophy should the Carolina Hurricanes go on to win the Stanley Cup.

The last active Carolina Hurricane to win the Conn Smythe was goaltender Cam Ward in 2006 (his rookie season) following the Carolina Hurricanes’ first and only Stanley Cup win. Justin Williams, however, has won far more recently. Williams won the Playoff MVP merit in 2014 when he won his third Stanley Cup, and second while playing for the Los Angeles Kings.

The Hurricanes have a roster full of talent, heart, leadership, and just about every other factor that goes into determining who should win the Conn Smythe trophy. Having to choose just five players from that roster will be a challenge, and I am by no means diminishing any individual player’s contribution to the team.

That being said, this Top 5 list is purely my own opinion, but I think most of you will agree with the choices I make. I’m basing these choices on each individual’s contribution to the Hurricanes’ success this postseason, not necessarily on points, goals, hits, saves, etc.

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