Ranking the Oilers Top 5 Conn Smythe Candidates
Grant White
Host · Writer
1. Evan Bouchard +3000
No player has moved further up the Conn Smythe board than Evan Bouchard. A few weeks ago, the Oilers' rearguard was priced at a distant +24000. After a series win and a couple of game-winning goals later, Bouchard is poised to continue his ascent in the Western Conference Final.
Bouchard is a catalyst for Edmonton on both ends of the ice. He's already accumulated 21 points in 14 games, the third-most in the playoffs, and he's also played a pivotal role in limiting opponent's chances. Factoring his Stanley Cup Playoff best +12 rating, Bouchard checks all the boxes voters look for.
There's a reason why Bouchard's odds have moved as significantly as they have. Moreover, there's still value in backing him to win this season's Conn Smythe. Bouchard is your guy if you're looking for an Oiler to back in the awards futures market.
5. Zach Hyman +10000
For years, the Edmonton Oilers lacked the quality depth scoring necessary to make noise in the playoffs. But Zach Hyman has solved most of those problems. The Oilers' top goal scorer from the regular season has elevated his play in the postseason and is in contention for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Oilers can hoist the Stanley Cup.
Hyman is on an other-worldly pace to open the postseason. The former fifth-round draft pick has already tallied 12 goals through the first 14 playoff games. It's not that he's capitalizing on powerplay or special teams scoring, as only four of his tallies have come on the powerplay.
As usual, Edmonton's more prominent skaters overshadow Hyman on the Conn Smythe futures board. Still, there's no one else who matches his scoring prowess.
4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins +50000
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is often lost in the Oilers shuffle. He doesn't possess the scoring aptitudes to match Hyman's contributions, and he doesn't command the same hype as Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Nevertheless, his style of play is tailor-made for postseason success, and his odds of claiming the Conn Smythe Trophy are better than his gambling odds imply.
Often skating shotgun next to the Oilers' big guns, Nugent-Hopkins has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments. His 17 points are the fourth-most among all playoff scorers, and only seven have come on the man advantage.
But Nuge sets himself apart with his elite defensive play. He plays a prominent role on the penalty kill, starting just 46.3% of his shifts in the attacking zone across all strengths.
No one else on the Oilers casts a wider net than Nugent-Hopkins. Surely, bettors will recognize that when it comes to Conn Smythe voting.
3. Connor McDavid +500
Predictably, Connor McDavid is one of the betting favorites for this year's Conn Smythe Award. His +500 betting price is second only to Igor Shesterkin. Still, McDavid falls to third in our ranking.
McDavid's contributions are irreplaceable, but he doesn't enjoy the same level of success in the postseason as in the regular season. Teams' game plan for stopping him, and McDavid hasn't been able to match his regular season benchmarks.
His shooting percentage and points per game have taken a hit since the playoffs started. Consequently, there are other Oilers who bettors should prioritize in the Conn Smythe market.
2. Leon Draisaitl +750
While everyone has been focused on Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl has quietly asserted himself as the top playoff scorer. This isn't the first time Draisaitl has out-performed the Oilers' captain in the postseason, and it could just be a matter of time before Drai gets the recognition he deserves.
Currently listed with the fourth-shortest odds, Draisaitl is inching his way to the top of the leaderboard. His 25 points put him two points clear of McDavid, while his nine goals are tied for the second-most behind Zach Hyman.
Altogether, Draisaitl has the points total, analytics profile, and recognition to upend McDavid as a potential Conn Smythe winner. If choosing between the two, the edge goes to Draisaitl.
1. Evan Bouchard +3000
No player has moved further up the Conn Smythe board than Evan Bouchard. A few weeks ago, the Oilers' rearguard was priced at a distant +24000. After a series win and a couple of game-winning goals later, Bouchard is poised to continue his ascent in the Western Conference Final.
Bouchard is a catalyst for Edmonton on both ends of the ice. He's already accumulated 21 points in 14 games, the third-most in the playoffs, and he's also played a pivotal role in limiting opponent's chances. Factoring his Stanley Cup Playoff best +12 rating, Bouchard checks all the boxes voters look for.
There's a reason why Bouchard's odds have moved as significantly as they have. Moreover, there's still value in backing him to win this season's Conn Smythe. Bouchard is your guy if you're looking for an Oiler to back in the awards futures market.
5. Zach Hyman +10000
For years, the Edmonton Oilers lacked the quality depth scoring necessary to make noise in the playoffs. But Zach Hyman has solved most of those problems. The Oilers' top goal scorer from the regular season has elevated his play in the postseason and is in contention for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Oilers can hoist the Stanley Cup.
Hyman is on an other-worldly pace to open the postseason. The former fifth-round draft pick has already tallied 12 goals through the first 14 playoff games. It's not that he's capitalizing on powerplay or special teams scoring, as only four of his tallies have come on the powerplay.
As usual, Edmonton's more prominent skaters overshadow Hyman on the Conn Smythe futures board. Still, there's no one else who matches his scoring prowess.
