Phil Kessel for Conn Smythe?

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The Stanley Cup playoffs will soon be over, that means it'll soon be time to announce the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the playoffs' Most Valuable Player.

Minty fresh breath.
Is the Pittsburgh Penguins' forward Phil Kessel the skater who deserves to win the 2016 Conn Smythe?

Kessel has taken a lot of stick over the last few seasons, mainly because he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team capable of making good players look bad. 

As many a playoff bracket will attest, the Pens' march to the final took many by surprise. That success owes a lot to Phil Kessel. The former Bruin and Maple Leaf has (so far) played 23 playoff games, scored 10 goals and assisted on 12 more. Statistically he's the man driving the Pens' success, Kessel is leading the team on points with 22. Line-mate Nick Bonino, another contender for the Conn Smythe, has 18 points. 

Speaking of which; the Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel line has contributed 20 goals in this campaign, half of those from Kessel. If the Pittsburgh Penguins go on to win the Stanley Cup; Phil Kessel has to win the Conn Smythe based on that! 

Kessel has rightfully criticised in the past for lack of consistency, especially during his stint in Toronto, and his trade to Pittsburgh in July 2015 definitely raised a few eyebrows, although that trade has worked out spectacularly for the Penguins. The Leafs? Time will tell on that one. Any criticisms that anyone had for Kessel must surely have been dashed now.   

Soon my friend and colleague Alex will be along to tell you why I'm wrong. What do you think? Comment below or let me know on twitter. 

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