Former Conn Smythe winner Giguere rips McDavid for not accepting the Trophy

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Ryan Hall
June 25, 2024 (9:34 PM)

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After a devastating Game 7 loss, Connor McDavid was still awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP. McDavid didn't come out to accept the award, and it's irked former goalie J.S. Giguere.

Giguere was the last player to win the Conn Smythe on a losing team, having a stellar performance with the Anaheim Ducks in 2003. Despite being distraught by the loss, Giguere came out and accepted the award in near tears. Now, he's criticizing McDavid for disrespecting the NHL by not coming out to accept the Trophy.

Translation: "It's a privilege to play in the NHL. Even if you're the best player in the world, you're not bigger than the sport. It should be an obligation to show up and accept the trophy, it's a respect question. It is similar to the hand shake. The game gives us so much, we should give back, and showing respect to the trophy is part of it.
- J.S. Giguere

McDavid was well off the ice at that point, and did not return to accept the award from commissioner Gary Bettman. It didn't seem to be much of a bother, but Panthers fans booed McDavid winning the award, and quickly moved on to celebrate the win.

After the game, McDavid spoke very briefly about winning the Conn Smythe. He said it was an honour, but in the aftermath of the loss, couldn't bring himself to care about it.

McDavid had and incredible playoffs, coming just a handful of points short from Gretzky's playoff point record, and broke his record for most assists in one playoff. He cooled down in Game 6 and 7 of the Cup Final, unable to record a point when the Oilers needed it most. It looked like he was just out of gas at that point, and today it was revealed that McDavid will need offseason surgery for an abdominal injury.

McDavid was visibly distraught by the loss, but it will be a learning experience that the team will draw from next season. With this experience, to get so close but so far, will drive the Oilers next season - and hopefully they'll give themselves the same opportunity in the Stanley Cup Final.

Source: X.com

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