Conn Smythe Trophy Odds: Who Are the Favorites?

It may not be as exciting as the insane first round in this year’s NHL playoffs, but the second round has still been entertaining. 

The Conn Smythe odds are now settling into place, and they’re pretty illuminating for what the hierarchy is with Stanley Cup contenders right now. 

With McDavid leading the pack and Draisaitl also in the top five, it suggests that the Oilers, who’ve had a ‘never-say-die’ approach to their series against Vegas, could be more in the running for the Stanley Cup than we thought last round.

Here’s a look at where the odds stand as of May 10. 

Conn Smythe Trophy Odds

2024-25 Conn Smythe Trophy Favorite

Connor McDavid, C, Oilers (+450)

If you took the McDavid odds when they were at +1300 around the start of the playoffs, you’re probably feeling pretty good right now. 

Like I said, taking in my first Conn Smythe update before the postseason began, taking any league legend like a McDavid, Patrick Mahomes, or Shohei Ohtani when they have any kind of long odds is always a shrewd investment. 

He’s been a productive machine for the Oilers through the first series and into the second round. He’s currently third in the league for most points this playoffs with 13. Additionally, he’s got two goals and is a +7 through the eight games he’s played this postseason. 

But Edmonton’s 2-0 series lead over Vegas is probably a big reason for this odds jump.

With a weakened Winnipeg and a slightly less experienced group in Dallas, the Oilers have a strong chance of returning to the Stanley Cup if they finish off the Knights, but they need to win the Cup for McDavid to get back-to-back Conn Smythes. 

I doubt he’ll be awarded it two years in a row for Cup-losing efforts. 

2024-25 Conn Smythe Contenders

Mikko Rantanen, F, Stars (+700)

Any aggrieved Stars fans upset about the early returns they were getting from Rantanen after Dallas acquired him at the deadline must be happy that he’s come up big now when his team’s needed it the most. 

He had back-to-back hat tricks in the closing game of the Avalanche series and the opening one of Dallas’ current series against the Jets. He’s tied with Toronto’s William Nylander for most points in the playoffs, with 18, but he stands alone for most goals with eight. 

The fact that Rantanen was going up against his old team helped to spark this reenergized offensive game. If the Stars and Hurricanes meet in the Cup Final, it could be one of the first times a player has faced two teams he played for that season in one playoff run. 

With the Stars looking more like the lethal playoff team they were expected to be, Rantanen has a good shot at taking home the Conn Smythe. 

Leon Draisaitl, F, Oilers (+800)

Draisaitl has undoubtedly earned the right to be a contender for the Conn Smythe. He’s got five goals and 13 points overall this postseason. 

But I have some reservations about his odds being this high. 

I can’t imagine what Draisaitl could do in these playoffs that would cause hockey writers to award him the Conn Smythe over McDavid. 

For Draisaitl to win the trophy, the Oilers would need to win the Stanley Cup. And if Edmonton wins the Stanley Cup, there’s a 99.9% chance that they’ll choose to honor the face of the NHL instead of giving it to his co-star. 

Maybe he puts up insane numbers the rest of the way en route to a Stanley Cup. But I can’t foresee those numbers being exceedingly better than McDavid’s.