‘I do think he should’ve gone and accept the trophy:’ J.S. Giguere talks about Connor McDavid’s Conn Smythe win

The number of players who have won the Conn Smythe Trophy is few and far between, and Oilers captain Connor McDavid joined the class with his spectacular performance in the 2024 playoffs.
While the Oilers ultimately fell to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, McDavid got a big nod, becoming the first player since J.S. Giguere to win it in a losing effort

McDavid racked up eight goals and 34 assists for 42 points, setting an NHL record for assists in a single playoff, passing Wayne Gretzky, while also joining The Great One and Mario Lemieux as the only players in history with over 40 points in a single playoff.
But on June 24th, when the Panthers beat the Oilers 2-1 to win it all, McDavid never went onto the ice to accept the Conn Smythe Trophy — one of the league’s most prestigious awards. It’s something Giguere said the superstar should’ve done.

“I feel for Connor. He played so well and deserved that trophy in my mind,” Giguere said on The Nation Network’s Leafs Morning Take. “I do think that he should’ve gone and accept the trophy at the end of the day. The game is always bigger than the individual, and this is a major trophy for the NHL.
“It would’ve showed kids, I guess, that winning or losing, you still present yourself the right way and accept your faith. Easier said than done, I get it. I think he’s an amazing player, an amazing ambasadoor for the game, so it’s hard to imagine what was going through his mind. I know what it was like, I still would’ve taken the picture and leave, but it’s not easy for sure.”

After the game, a despondent McDavid, who was one of the last Oilers players on the ice before going into the locker room, said “It’s an honour (to win it) with the names on that trophy,” but struggled to find any other words.

Gigure’s Conn Smythe win also came in a losing effort, as his Anaheim Ducks fell to the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals. He posted a 15-6 record, a .945 save percentage and a 1.62 goals against average.