{"id":6623,"date":"2026-06-10T19:35:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/10\/former-nhler-thinks-mitch-marner-is-lock-to-win-conn-smythe\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T19:35:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:35:11","slug":"former-nhler-thinks-mitch-marner-is-lock-to-win-conn-smythe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/10\/former-nhler-thinks-mitch-marner-is-lock-to-win-conn-smythe\/","title":{"rendered":"Former NHLer Thinks Mitch Marner is Lock to Win Conn Smythe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Former NHL player and current hockey analyst Mike Johnson believes that Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner is a lock to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, regardless of whether or not Vegas beats the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals.<\/p>\n

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Through four games, the Stanley Cup Finals are all tied up at 2-2 after the Hurricanes pulled off a clutch 5-3 win on June 9 in Las Vegas. The series now heads back to Raleigh for Game 5 on June 11.<\/p>\n

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Since this series is all tied up, it’s truly a coin flip at this point as to who wins the series. But as far as Johnson goes, the playoff MVP award is already locked up by Marner.<\/p>\n

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Mike Johnson Makes Case for Mitch Marner as Conn Smythe Lock<\/h2>\n

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Speaking on TSN OverDrive, Johnson made the case for why Marner should be considered a mortal lock to win the Conn Smyth regardless of how the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals play out.<\/p>\n

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He’s going to win the Conn Smythe.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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“It’s at the point, fellas, and you can tell me if I’m wrong, I don’t think it matters who wins the cup anymore. He’s going to win the Conn Smythe. Even if Carolina comes back and wins it, it’s not going to be Taylor Hall or (Logan) Stankoven or Freddie (Andersen). I think it’s going to be Mitch Marner, no matter what, and it should be,” Johnson said.<\/p>\n

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“He has (eight points in four games) in this series. He’s been miles and away the best offensive player, plus he’s great defensively, plus, plus, plus. He has been his very best self and then some. And he’s doing it when it matters most, which is what’s so noteworthy for him in his career.”<\/p>\n

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Related: Maple Leafs Still Feeling the Pain of Mitch Marner Decision<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Currently, Marner leads all skaters in the NHL playoffs with 29 points, nine points ahead of his Vegas teammate Jack Eichel, and 11 points more than the Hurricanes’ top point-getter in Hall. Marner is also third in goals, with 10, behind teammate Brett Howden, who has 14, and Stankoven, who has 11.<\/p>\n

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By the time the Stanley Cup Finals are over, Marner could get to near 40 points if he continues to play the way he has been playing.<\/p>\n

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So, even if Vegas ends up losing the finals to Carolina, Johnson is correct in saying that Marner is the clubhouse leader right now for playoff MVP.<\/p>\n

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More NHL:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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