What group do you rank the Conn Smythe winners in?

[BenchBrawl]

Not every Conn Smythe winner is created equally. We know this. We've seen it. So since 1965 when the award was first given out, which ones do you rank as exceptional? In other words, there would be 4 groups: Exceptional, above average, average, and below the average. Just pick the exceptional ones that stood out. Which are they?

Exceptional:
Beliveau 1965 - 16 points in two rounds. 8 goals. Three game winners in the final
Orr 1970 - What can you say about it? Legendary
Orr 1972 - Was the difference in beating the Rangers. Tied Esposito in points
Parent 1974 - Silenced the Bruins
Parent 1975 - Second straight year he got a shutout in the clinching game
Lafleur 1977 - His best playoff, just utterly dominant
Robinson 1978 - Remember that end to end rush?
Gretzky 1985 - Statistically eye popping
Gretzky 1988 - More impressive than 1985, beat better teams
Lemieux 1991 - Played at a level only Gretzky had in postseason
Lemieux 1992 - 34 points in 15 games. Look closely, when he lifts the Cup he has a cast from the Graves slash
Roy 1993 - Probably had no business winning
Leetch 1994 - 34 points for a defenseman and still providing decent play in his own end
Sakic 1996 - 18 goals and it seemed like he scored all the time
Brad Richards 2004 - A record 7 game winners. He was such a force that year
Malkin 2009 - Stepped up, and had more points than anyone not named Coffey, Gretzky or Lemieux

I'd say Lafleur in 1979 was better than in 1977.The points he scored were more crucial, especially against Boston in Game 5 and 7.Didn't win the Smythe, so I guess that's off-topic.

 

[goss19]

Js Giguere?

Agreed.

Winning the Conn Smythe on the losing team actually speaks more loudly about how awesome you were than being the Conn Smythe winner on the cup winning team!

 

[goss19]

Js Giguere?

Agreed.

Winning the Conn Smythe on the losing team actually speaks more loudly about how awesome you were than being the Conn Smythe winner on the cup winning team!