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Jordan Staal Becomes Oldest Conn Smythe Trophy Winner in History
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal was named the 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the NHL playoff MVP after the team clinched the Stanley Cup with a 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. At 37 years, 277 days, Staal became the oldest player ever to win the award. He earned it with a special performance in the Finals. Staal was the first player in 70 years and only the fourth overall to open the Stanley Cup Finals with a five-game goal streak. Against Vegas, he tallied six goals and one assist in six games, winning an incredible 69% of his faceoffs. Staal finished the playoffs with 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 19 games. Having won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 2009 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Staal's 17 years between two championship wins mark a new NHL record.
Source: NHL Public Relations
Source: NHL Public Relations
