In a heartbreaking twist at the climax of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, although the Edmonton Oilers fell to the Florida Panthers in Game 7, Oilers captain Connor McDavid etched his name into NHL history by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. Despite his team’s defeat, McDavid’s outstanding performance throughout the playoffs earned him this prestigious accolade, making him the first player since J.S. Giguere in 2003 to receive the award from a losing side.

McDavid’s statistics during the playoffs were nothing short of historic. He tallied eight goals and an NHL record-breaking 34 assists, bringing his total to 42 points. This achievement not only surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s previous assists record but also placed McDavid alongside Gretzky and Mario Lemieux as the only players to amass over 40 points in a single playoff run.

However, the moments following the Panthers’ 2-1 victory were marked by a distinctly somber tone for McDavid, who chose not to participate in the on-ice Conn Smydie Trophy presentation. This decision drew comments from J.S. Giguere, who experienced a similar situation when he won the award in 2003 after his Anaheim Ducks were defeated by the New Jersey Devils.

Appearing on The Nation Network’s Leafs Morning Take, Giguere expressed empathy for McDavid, praising his performance and stating, “I feel for Connor. He played so well and deserved that trophy in my mind.” Giguere also noted that accepting the award publicly could serve as an important gesture for young fans, emphasizing sportsmanship and the gravity of NHL honors, regardless of the final game’s outcome.

Reflecting on his own experience, Giguere shared the emotional and somewhat conflicting feelings of winning the Conn Smythe in a losing effort, describing the immediacy of the post-game recognition and the challenging dynamic of watching the opposing team celebrate. Despite his individual honor, Giguire reiterated the ultimate dream of any hockey player: winning the Stanley Cup.

As McDavid processed the end of a grueling playoff journey, he acknowledged the honor of receiving the Conn Smythe, though he was visibly affected by the game’s result, pausing to find words and eventually retreating to the locker room with his team.

This instance adds another layer to the narrative of the Conn Smythe Trophy, underscoring the personal and team sacrifices players make in pursuit of their sport’s highest team accolade—the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, McDavid’s record-setting playoff run and his reception of the Conn Smythe Trophy, albeit under unfortunate circumstances, will undoubtedly remain a significant part of NHL lore.