The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have tilted heavily toward elite star performances as several contenders continue to battle through intense second-round matchups.
While Colorado moved within one win of eliminating the Minnesota Wild, individual efforts from some of the league’s biggest names have continued to dominate playoff discussions. Quinn Hughes, Mitch Marner, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar have all strengthened their cases as difference-makers during the postseason.
Amid the growing debate, a former Montreal Canadiens defenseman has given his public vote to a man he believes deserves to lead the 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy race.
P.K. Subban Places Quinn Hughes Ahead Of Mitch Marner In Conn Smythe Debate
During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, P.K. Subban made it clear that Quinn Hughes sits at the top of his playoff MVP rankings. While several stars remain in contention, including Vegas Golden Knights winger Marner and Colorado Avalanche star MacKinnon, Subban argued that Hughes has separated himself from the pack because of his ability to control games from the back end.
Subban said, “Hughes is gonna pull some rabbits out of his hat. I said he’s my playoff MVP.” He also compared Hughes directly to Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, a man many analysts already consider one of the NHL’s generational talents.
The former Canadiens defenseman added, “Makar might go down as the greatest defenceman to play the game when it’s all said and done. But Hughes is a special player, and knowing he’s been this close to Makar, in these playoffs, for me, he’s gotta be in the MVP conversation.
“He’s one of the best drivers, if not the best driver right now in the game, and skating-wise, no one can touch him.”
Minnesota currently trails Colorado 3-1 in the second-round series after Monday’s 5-2 loss, but Hughes has still delivered elite production throughout the postseason. He recorded an assist in Game 4 and helped set up Nico Sturm’s tying goal before Colorado regained control late in the third period. Earlier in the series, Hughes posted a goal and an assist in Minnesota’s Game 3 victory while continuing to log massive minutes in every situation.
Through 10 playoff games, Hughes has collected 4 goals and 10 assists while registering multiple multi-point performances. His 14 postseason points also established a Wild franchise record for playoff scoring by a defenseman in a single postseason run.
Meanwhile, Marner has also emerged as a strong contender after helping keep Vegas competitive in its second-round series against Anaheim. The former Toronto Maple Leafs winger entered the week as the playoff scoring leader with 16 points and several multi-point games, including a natural hat trick.
Despite these performances, Subban believes Hughes deserves stronger recognition because of how much responsibility he carries for Minnesota’s offense and transition game.
As the playoffs continue, Hughes may still need a Wild comeback to remain firmly in the MVP race, but Subban made it clear he already views the defenseman as one of the postseason’s defining players.
