What trophy is awarded to the playoff MVP in the NHL?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the playoff MVP in the NHL.

The NHL presents the trophy annually to the player judged most valuable during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is named for Conn Smythe, the former Toronto Maple Leafs owner, coach, general manager, and player who helped shape the franchise’s history.

The award was first presented in 1965. Unlike awards based only on the Stanley Cup Final, the Conn Smythe evaluates a player’s performance across the entire postseason. A skater, goaltender, or—more rarely—another type of player can win it, and the winner does not have to come from the eventual champion.

That last detail causes a frequent misconception: the Conn Smythe is not simply a championship-series MVP trophy. The Vezina Trophy honors the NHL’s top goaltender during the regular season, the Art Ross Trophy goes to the regular-season points leader, and the Hart Trophy recognizes the regular-season MVP. The Conn Smythe is specifically tied to playoff performance.