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NHL futures: Some early Conn Smythe bets to consider
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NHL futures: Some early Conn Smythe bets to consider

It's never too early to consider some Conn Smythe futures in the NHL playoffs. The Conn Smythe is a cumulative award for the Stanley Cup winning team's top overall player for the entirety of their postseason run.

In a sense, you can take an alternative path toward backing a team to win it all, if you see a clear player that is most likely to be the reason they win it all.

Three players who are would be in a strong position to win the Conn Smythe should their teams win the Cup.

Jeremy Swayman (+1200)

If the Boston Bruins were somehow to defy the odds and win it all this season, you can bet for a fact that it will be because Jeremy Swayman continued to lock down the opposition in between the pipes.

Swayman stopped 38 of Florida's 39 shots in a Game 1 win, and he is currently sporting an elite .955 save percentage to go along with just a 1.42 goals allowed average.

Those are absurd numbers, and Swayman's play in net is the single biggest reason Boston is sitting here up 1-0 in the second round.

David Pastrnak hasn't been much of a factor this postseason beyond his Game 7 OT winner, and the Bruins don't seem to have another forward who can step up and take control of some games.

If you're considering betting on Boston to win it all at +700, stop, and simply bet Swayman to win Conn Smythe at +1200 instead.

Connor McDavid (+600)

McDavid led Edmonton in their first round with 12 points in five games, 11 of which are assists. Should the Oilers win it all, voters would very likely favor the NHL's best player, no matter if he isn't scoring goals.

He creates so much for this team, his presence alone would be what powers their Stanley Cup win. The added narrative of Edmonton's top player getting them over the hump would be a lay-up type of vote. If the Oilers win it all, McDavid's goal creation both during even-strength play and on the power play would be a massive reason why.

Igor Shesterkin (+800)

If Igor Shesterkin is going to stop 54 saves when he needs to, as he did in Game 2's double-OT thriller against Carolina, this Rangers team may be able to go the distance.

Shesterkin is 6-0 thus far this postseason and has not allowed more than three goals in a playoff game in 28 straight starts.

The Rangers have a deep and talented group of forwards, which should make it difficult for one of them to rise above the rest for Conn Smythe honors if New York found themselves in that position.

Shesterkin is one of the best goalies in the field, and if he continues to elevate his play, it seems likely he'd nab the award here.

The Rangers are the current +425 favorites to win it all.

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