NHL Playoffs: An Early Look at Conn Smythe Contenders

It’s almost time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals round, which means the conversation for the Conn Smythe Trophy is starting to pick up.

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks in action against the Minnesota Wild in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal at the United Center on May 1, 2015 in Chicago. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

It’s almost time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals round, which means the conversation for the Conn Smythe Trophy is starting to pick up.

The NHL is unique in that its MVP award is for the best player of the entire playoffs instead of just the final series.

Here are the leading candidates for the Conn Smythe trophy:

Patrick Kane

A remarkable story in these playoffs, Kane wasn’t even supposed to return to the Chicago Blackhawks’ lineup until the Conference Finals round after suffering a broken clavicle on Feb. 24. But the 2013 Conn Smythe winner returned just in time for the playoffs, five weeks ahead of schedule.

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