Winning the Conn Smythe Trophy is one of the most challenging accomplishments in the NHL.
These players not only secured the honour of playoff MVP, but also accomplished it in their first few years as pros.
Three of the six youngest Conn Smythe winners were goaltenders, two were forwards, and the other was a defenceman.
Related: 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy Odds & Favourites: NHL Playoffs MVP
Who Are the Youngest NHL Playoff MVPs?
| Rank | Player | Age | Team | Year |
| 6 | Ron Hextall | 23 | Philadelphia Flyers | 1987 |
| 5 | Evgeni Malkin | 22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2009 |
| 4 | Bobby Orr | 22 | Boston Bruins | 1970 |
| 3 | Cam Ward | 22 | Carolina Hurricanes | 2006 |
| 2 | Jonathan Toews | 22 | Chicago Blackhawks | 2010 |
| 1 | Patrick Roy | 20 | Montreal Canadiens | 1986 |
6. Ron Hextall (22 years old)
Ron Hextall is among an abbreviated list of rookie goaltenders who won a Conn Smythe Trophy. Hextall was 22 years old when he won the Conn Smythe despite the Edmonton Oilers beating his Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup.
With the 1987 Conn Smythe, Hextall joined the exclusive club of players to win playoff MVP in a losing cause. Only five others (Connor McDavid, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Reggie Leach, Glenn Hall, and Roger Crozier) achieved the feat, three of whom were also goaltenders.
Hextall finished his 1987 playoff run with a 15-11 record, a 2.76 goals-against average (GAA), and a .908 save percentage.
5. Evgeni Malkin (22 years old)
In his third NHL season, Evgeni Malkin orchestrated a playoff masterpiece, leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists).
Malkin scored seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in the opening three games of the playoffs against the Flyers, and he exploded for nine points (6 goals, 3 assists) in the first three contests of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
He culminated with eight points in seven Stanley Cup Final games against the Detroit Red Wings, including six points in Games 2 through 4.
4. Bobby Orr (21 years old)
Bobby Orr registered at least a point in all 14 playoff games en route to the Boston Bruins Stanley Cup.
He scored eight goals in the first eight games and lit the lamp seven times in six games against the New York Rangers in the opening round.
The historic run came in 1969-70, Orr’s fourth season and third playoff. It represented his second-best playoffs, surpassed only by his 24 points in the Bruins’ 1972 Cup run.
3. Cam Ward (21 years old)
Cam Ward started the 2006 playoffs as Martin Gerber’s backup for the Carolina Hurricanes. He was tossed under the spotlight after two games and dominated, marking the last time a rookie goaltender won the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Ward was 7-0 after his first seven playoff games and is tied with Hextall and Patrick Roy for most postseason wins by a rookie (15). Somewhat shockingly, Ward played in only one more postseason, where he led the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference final.
2. Jonathan Toews (21 years old)
In 2010, only one year after the 22-year-old Malkin led the Pens to the Cup, 21-year-old Jonathan Toews propelled the Chicago Blackhawks to glory. The Blackhawks entered the final against the Flyers as the Stanley Cup odds favourites.
It was the Blackhawks’ first Stanley Cup in 49 years. Toews scored 29 points (7 goals, 22 assists) in 22 games, with his most memorable performance coming in Game 4 of the second round against the Vancouver Canucks.
He scored a hat trick and added two helpers.
1. Patrick Roy (20 years old)
Not only did Roy win the Conn Smythe as a rookie, but he also assembled arguably the most impressive playoff performance of any goaltender.
The 20-year-old had a 15-5 record and finished with sublime numbers, including a 1.93 GAA and .923 save percentage.
The fact that the 1.93 GAA was only the sixth-best of his playoff career showcases how dominant he was during the postseason.
His rookie postseason run was a precursor for things to come, as Roy went on to win two additional Conn Smythe Trophies, still holding the record for the most (3).
Who Won the Most Conn Smythe Trophies?
Patrick Roy holds the record for the most Conn Smythe Trophies (3).
Who Won the Conn Smythe Trophy on a Losing Team?
Connor McDavid, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Reggie Leach, Glenn Hall, Ron Hextall, and Roger Crozier won the Conn Smythe despite losing in the Stanley Cup Final.
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