Jordan Staal Wins Conn Smythe Trophy, Makes NHL History as Hurricanes Win 2026 Stanley Cup

The Carolina Hurricanes were a buzzsaw during the regular season. They were a buzzsaw during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, too, going 16-3 and sweeping their first two series.

On Sunday night, they became Stanley Cup champions, beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 to secure the title. And team captain Jordan Staal was deemed the most valuable player in the entirety of the playoffs, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy.

It was deserved. Staal was superb during the Stanley Cup Finals, with six goals and an assist. He had two goals and three assists during the first three rounds of the postseason but haunted Vegas.

Not too shabby for a 37-year-old, who is now the oldest ever winner of the award.

Winning another Stanley Cup Trophy clearly meant the world to Staal:

It is a testament to the depth and overall talent of the Hurricanes that at least three other players could have easily been named the Conn Smythe winner, without much objection.

Taylor Hall had seven goals and 12 assists during the playoffs. Jackson Blake had seven goals and 13 assists. Logan Stankoven posted 11 goals and five assists.

None will begrudge their captain for winning it, however, given his epic Stanley Cup Finals performance. No team pushed these Hurricanes as much as Vegas, and Staal was the best player in the series. No need to complicate it further.