A Loser’s Case For The Conn Smythe

The Conn Smythe trophy is one often one of hockey’s most unpredictable awards.  At the outset of the playoffs it is nearly impossible to know which player will rise to the top over the course of the next few weeks. There are some years when an unbelievable individual performance carries an unlikely team to the Stanley Cup finals. In those cases, such as it was with J.S Giguere and Ron Hextall, a player can win the Conn Smythe when his team loses the Stanley Cup. This year, however, we have a unique situation in that there is really nobody on the Philadelphia Flyers that could earn that distinction in a losing cause.  Michael Leighton, although very good in the games that he played, has not played enough games or “stolen games” as yet.  I believe it would take a remarkable performance from Leighton (repeat of the Conference Finals with more ‘big game saving’ stops) in the finals in order for him to be considered for the Conn Smythe. I would also argue th...