Carolina Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal Sets Conn Smythe Trophy Record, Leads Team to Second Stanley Cup
Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal has made history by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player of the playoffs, cementing his legacy as a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion. The 37-year-old forward surpassed Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas (37 years, 61 days) to become the oldest playoff MVP in league history, earning the award at 37 years and 277 days old.
Staal’s dominance during the postseason saw him score eight goals and 12 points across 19 games, including six goals and seven points in the six-game Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights. His six-game-winning streak during the championship series marked the first time since Wayne Gretzky’s memorable 1985 campaign with the Edmonton Oilers. In Game 4, he delivered a clutch game-tying goal while falling to the ice, sparking a comeback that allowed the Hurricanes to secure victories in Games 5 and 6.
Staal’s playoff performance has drawn direct comparisons to legendary NHL captains. He becomes the first skater in modern history to score at least six goals in a Stanley Cup Final (since Gretzky’s historic 1985 season) and simultaneously broke Chris Chelios’ 16-year gap between Cup victories by winning with the Hurricanes in 2023, 17 years after his first title with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009.
During the postgame celebration, Staal adhered to protocol by swiftly passing the Stanley Cup to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to regain possession. Upon lifting the iconic trophy, he shouted, “Yeah boys, we did it, baby!” before embracing his teammates—a moment captured on video. The Hurricanes’ 36-year-old Frederik Andersen, who led the team with 13 postseason wins, later received the Cup as a gesture of respect to the player primarily responsible for their on-ice success.
The team’s 16-3 playoff record during the 2022-23 campaign marked their most dominant postseason run since claiming their inaugural Cup in 2006. Carolina sealed the championship with a 3-0 series win over the Golden Knights on Sunday, ending 20 years without the franchise’s second Stanley Cup while establishing a new era of dominance.