The Carolina Hurricanes no longer have a clear-cut Conn Smythe Trophy favorite right now, but Jordan Staal has emerged. His Hockey Hall of Fame potential depends on what happens in the next week.
There are times when it's very difficult to single out one player as the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy.
If the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, this season will almost certainly be one of the occasions.
There is simply no clear-cut favorite when it comes to the Canes.
Logan Stankoven? Yeah, that could work. Linemates Taylor Hall or Jackson Blake? Guess so. Nikolaj Ehlers seems to be making a late bid.
But coming off a two-goal performance in Game 4 of the final, what about Jordan Staal?
He may have saved the Hurricanes' season with his winning goal Tuesday night, his second of the game. He's currently tied for second in goals with seven, leads a beastly penalty-killing team in shorthanded ice time and is bringing it at both ends of the ice.
That's MVP-type play. And if Staal wins the Conn Smythe, would his two Stanley Cups and his many years of sterling play earn him Hall of Fame consideration?
Watch the video column above for the answer.
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