Report: NHLer receives Conn Smythe vote despite not playing in the final.

The National Hockey League has a bit of a controversy when it comes to the Conn Smythe voting, although there have been people supporting both sides of this argument. 

Traditionally the Conn Smythe is awarded to the best player in the NHL Playoffs, however it is also tradition that the award go to a player on the team that claims the Stanley Cup Championship. 

Not only did a player who was not on the winning team receive a vote this year, but a player who wasn't even in the Conference Final received a vote from one of the members of the selection committee.

Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karklsson received a third place vote from one hockey writer. While Karlsson did in fact have an incredible playoff performance, and this despite what appears to have been a serious injury, this is highly usual to say the least.

How do you feel? Did Karlsson's heroic playoff performance warrant such a vote? Or did one hockey writer go to far with his selection?

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