2026 Conn Smythe Betting Odds, Picks, Predictions & Market Analysis

The 2026 NHL Playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, April 18 with the Conn Smythe radar officially turned on. This award is given to the most valuable player for a team through the playoffs and through the Stanley Cup Finals. Below, we’ve listed the top contenders from each team along with their odds, stats and other players to consider outside the club favorites.

Let’s dive into the entire 2026 Conn Smythe futures markets for contenders and other players to watch.

2026 Conn Smythe Favorites

• Nathan MacKinnon (COL)
• Nikita Kucherov (TBL)
• Connor McDavid (EDM)
• Seth Jarvis (CAR)
• Jack Eichel (VGS)
• Mikko Rantanen (DAL)
• Brady Tkachuk (OTT)
• Rasmus Dahlin (BUF)
• Sidney Crosby (PIT)
• Kirill Kaprizov (MIN)
• Clayton Keller (UTA)
• Cole Caufield (MTL)
• David Pastrnak (BOS)
• Adrian Kempe (LAK)
• Dan Vladar (PHI)
• Cutter Gauthier (ANA)

2026 Conn Smythe Odds & Team Contenders

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

2026 Season Stats: 53 goals, 74 assists, 127 points

Nathan MacKinnon is the odd-on favorite to win the Conn Smythe, with the Colorado Avalanche as the favorite to win Lorde Stanley. He’s the type of player who sees minus-value goal scoring odds with 53 on the season and 127 total points. He is one of two Avs to score 100 points this season, the other being Martin Necas – who should be your other Avalanche player to bet on outside MacKinnon.

Others to Watch

• Cale Makar
• Martin Necas

Team Pick: Nathan MacKinnon

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

2026 Season Stats: 44 goals, 86 assists, 130 points

Nikita Kucherov might be the best bet on the board, scoring 130 points this season with an insane 86 assists recorded. He also has a +43 on the ice. Skaters Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel pose a threat to the award, while Andrei Vasilevskiy will always be a teammate he has to compete with should the Bolts keep games low scoring for opponents.

Others to Watch

• Andrei Vasilevskiy
• Jake Guentzel

Team Pick: Nikita Kucherov

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

2026 Season Stats: 48 goals, 86 assists, 134 points

While all the talk in Edmonton is about both Connor McDavid and Leon Drasaitl, Zach Hyman has earned his name as a legit contender for the Conn Smythe. His 31 goals are third behind both McDavid and Draisaitl, as he is more than capable of taking advantage in the playoffs. So is Evan Bouchard, but realistically the Conn Smythe in Edmonton will go between two names. McDavid is the clear choice but we’ll take Draisaitl based on more special teams goals, less penalty minutes and better value than McDavid. The injury status makes this unclear, though, so monitor Draisaitl’s status and go with McDavid if Leon misses any time.

Others to Watch

• Leon Draisaitl
• Zach Hyman
• Evan Bouchard

Team Pick: Leon Draisaitl

Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes

2026 Season Stats: 32 goals, 34 assists, 66 points

It’s a surprise to see Seth Jarvis as the top Hurricanes player in the Conn Smythe market, as one would think either Nikolaj Ehlers or Sebastian Aho would lead that charge instead. However, Jarvis led Carolina in goals scored. It was only one more than Andrei Svechnikov, however, who might be the hottest Hurricanes entering the NHL Playoffs outside Logan Stankoven.

Others to Watch

• Nikolaj Ehlers
• Sebastian Aho
• Andrei Svechnikov

Team Pick: Andrei Svechnikov

Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights

2026 Season Stats: 27 goals, 63 assists, 90 points

This might be the toughest competition between teammates for the Conn Smythe, as all four names listed have a great chance should Vegas go on a run. New kid in town Mitch Marner probably has the best value to consider, not too far off pace of Eichel’s numbers while also presenting the best experience on a well-experienced team. If Vegas gets into power-play mode often, Pavel Dorofeyev becomes a dark horse here with an insane 20 power play goals this season while also leading the team with 37 overall. His -3 on the ice might hurt that.

Others to Watch

• Mitch Marner
• Mark Stone
• Pavel Dorofeyev

Team Pick: Mitch Marner

Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars

2026 Season Stats: 22 goals, 55 assists, 77 points

While Mikko Rantanen is a great player, seeing him as the Stars’ favorite to win the Conn Smythe might be the biggest surprise of any club. Both Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston scored 45 goals each this season. Rantanen’s 55 assists is what will keep him in the conversation, but Miro Heiskanen saw 54 assists while Robertson also had 51. The odds don’t match the season production here, so taking anyone besides Rantanen is a good look strictly because of the price comparsion between teammates.

Others to Watch

• Jason Robertson
• Wyatt Johnston
• Jake Oettinger

Team Pick: Jason Robertson

Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators

2026 Season Stats: 22 goals, 37 assists, 59 points

The media darling for any team should be highly considered in award markets, particularly MVP ones such as the Conn Smythe. The Tkachuk’s are media darlings but this seems to be another price to take advantage of within the Ottawa Senators. Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson or even Dylan Cozens are good picks over Brady Tkachuk based on both asking price and season production. Linus Ullmark is another media-friendly name to watch but his postseason will need to be far more productive while the offense in front of him will have to struggle – which is very unlikely.

Others to Watch

• Tim Stutzle
• Drake Batherson
• Dylan Cozens
• Linus Ullmark
• Jake Sanderson

Team Pick: Tim Stutzle

Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres

2026 Season Stats: 19 goals, 55 assists, 74 points

Another team to take advantage of in the Conn Smythe market with Rasmus Dahlin leading the odds for Buffalo. While his 55 assists are nice, he only saw 19 goals. Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are the likely winners should Buffalo win the Stanley Cup. While not listed, the goalie production for Buffalo this season has been lowkey elite – so if any of them get hot and own the net consistently, then a dark horse might emerge here. Odds are, however, Buffalo’s offense is the way they advance which goes through Thompson first.

Others to Watch

• Tage Thompson
• Alex Tuch

Team Pick: Tage Thompson

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

2026 Season Stats: 29 goals, 45 points, 74 points

Although Bryan Rust is a great pick should Pittsburgh go on a run, Sidney Crosby is the reason this team is in the playoffs. We’ve also spoke about the media-darling presence the Conn Smythe leans towards, and Sidney Crosby is the biggest media darling in the NHL. He lead the Pens in total points and power play goals. Keep in mind this team is deep with Rickard Rakell, Anthony Mantha, Erik Karlsson and Egor Chinakhov – so production might spread thin throughout. Crosby is the safest play for this market in Pittsburgh.

Others to Watch

• Erik Karlsson
• Bryan Rust

Team Pick: Sidney Crosby

Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild

2026 Season Stats: 45 goals, 44 assists, 89 points

It’s very likely that only two names emerge out of this market in Minnesota if the Wild make a run – Kirill Kaprizov and Matthew Boldy. Sure, Kaprizov is the favorite but this is tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum. While looking at Kaprizov’s stats above, note Boldy had 42 goals, 43 assists and 85 points – so flip a coin and hold your breathe.

Others to Watch

• Matthew Boldy

Team Pick: Kirill Kaprizov

Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth

2026 Season Stats: 26 goals, 60 assists, 86 points

Utah is an interesting team this NHL Playoffs, while looking at both their numbers and style of play they seem to be a legit dark horse this postseason. A large reason why is Clayton Keller, a remarkable 60 assists this season and a +22 rating on ice. Although the assists are ample, he will have a hard time fending off both Dylan Guenther and Nick Schmaltz for production.

Should Utah make a run, Schmaltz saw 33 goals this season – 11 were power play and nine were game winners. Guenther saw a team-high 40 goals, including six game winners. While Utah’s run will have to go through Keller’s quarterbacking, it may be overlooked by big moment goals from either of his counterparts should they see large production throughout.

Others to Watch

• Dylan Guenther
• Nick Schmaltz
• Karel Vejmelka

Team Pick: Dylan Guenther

Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens

2026 Season Stats: 51 goals, 37 assists, 88 points

The Montreal Canadiens are another team that have multiple candidates should they get hot. Cole Caufield is the favorite with 51 goals leading the Habs this season. However, Nick Suzuki saw 101 points thanks to his 71 assists this season. While Caufield should be your top choice here, Suzuki’s assist total definitely leaves the door open for consideration elsewhere. Juraj Slafkovsky would be the only name to consider if looking for a different Suzuki assist benefactor not named Caufield. He led Montreal in power play goals with 15 but his downfall is his team-high 52 penalty minutes – limiting his time to produce on the ice.

Others to Watch

• Nick Suzuki
• Lane Hutson
• Juraj Slafkovsky

Team Pick: Cole Caufield

David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins

2026 Season Stats: 29 goals, 71 assists, 100 points

Pasta! A great pick to win the Conn Smythe should Boston make a Cinderella-run, but Jeremy Swayman is a really good look at the goalie position. His numbers are there and if Boston goes on a run, it is likelly due to great net play which has been shown many times by Swayman this season. From the skaters, though, Pasta is the best pick with 100 points this season and a favorite with both the franchise, fans and media members.

Others to Watch

• Charlie McAvoy
• Morgan Geekie
• Pavel Zacha
• Jeremy Swayman

Team Pick: Jeremy Swayman

Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings

2026 Season Stats: 36 goals, 37 assists, 73 points

Artemi Panarin would be higher if not for his weakness on the defensive end. Not only that, but Adrian Kempe leads the team in goals scored. It should be between these two players, although Quinton Byfield has been red hot on the road lately. Still, it’s not enough to back as someone to carry the team throughout the playoffs so we’ll go with Kempe who also leads the team with eight game-winning goals.

Others to Watch

• Artemi Panarin
• Anze Kopitar

Team Pick: Adrian Kempe

Dan Vladar, Philadelphia Flyers

2026 Season Stats: (29-14-7), 2.42 GAA, .906 SV%

Dan Vladar is another goalie to consider winning the Conn Smythe should his team make a run, as his save percentage is just one of a few that goes over 90% while also seeing a solid 1,162 goals saved (121 allowed). Should Philadelphia’s hypothetical run see offense, however, any of the three names listed below are worth a look. Vladar is still the best shot Philly has to make a run which is reflected in this market.

Others to Watch

• Travis Konecny
• Trevor Zegras
• Owen Tippett

Team Pick: Dan Vladar

Cutter Gauthier, Anaheim Ducks

2026 Season Stats: 40 goals, 28 assists, 68 points

Cutter Gauthier is really the only name to consider for Anaheim this NHL Playoffs, the clear-cut producer for goals. He has 40 but both Leo Carlsson and Beckett Sennecke have 37 assists each. So while both Carlsson and Sennecke have a chance to win this market based on assist numbers, all their assists go to the goal scoring Gauthier. It’s unlikely Anaheim advances far without offense, and it’s unlikely Anaheim sees the offense needed for a deep run unless it’s Gauthier’s show.

Others to Watch

• Leo Carlsson

Team Pick: Cutter Gauthier

Photo Credit: AP/Chris O’Meara