Who should be the 2007 NHL Playoffs MVP? (And no... They don't have to win the Stanley Cup...)

As the 2007 NHL Playoffs inch closer to the Conference Finals, the debate on who should be the postseason MVP begins.

Dubbed as the Conn Smythe Trophy, the 2007 NHL Playoffs MVP is awarded obviously to that player who proved how valuable he is NOT ONLY to his team but to the league.

The common mistake these sports leagues make, especially in the NBA is that they award MVP trophies to guys who are valuable ONLY to their team. Yeah, in case you didn't realized it yet, I do have a problem with Steve Nash winning MVP awards during the last couple of years in the NBA.

Yes, Steve Nash is valuable to the Phoenix Suns but c'mon, Kobe Bryant was and STILL is THAT valuable to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns can live by without Nash but the Lakers without Kobe? Forget about it. Besides, he did have that 81-point game last season, making him VALUABLE not only to the NBA but to the rest of basketball.

Let's hope the NHL doesn't make the same stupid mistake.

So who's it going to be? Let's start with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. We have Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the winner of the 2003 Conn Smythe Trophy. Although the guy didn't start in the first four games of the playoffs, the Mighty Ducks star did manage to play good enough to be a postseason MVP candidate. Besides, he was attending to his infant son's serious eye issue then to start the playoffs so cut him some slack.

Nicklas Lidstrom has just been BIG for the Detroit Red Wings. In the final four games against the San Jose Sharks, Lidstrom averaged 29:05, 29:04, 36:09 and 28:34 a night, respectively, in ice time. As team captain, Lidstrom's quiet presence and unflappable nature set the tone for a Red Wings team that will do so with patience and hard work.

Of course, you can't have a list like this without the surprising Ottawa Senators right? The Senators are still alive and kicking in the 2007 NHL Playoffs and it's probably all because of this guy, Dany Heatley.

The Senators were nowhere to be found after the second round of the playoffs last year. Thanks to Heatley, the Senators are now on a mission to bring the 2007 Stanley Cup home as the only remaining Canadian team in the postseason.

Heatley, together with linemates Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson, combined for 23 points in a five-game series win over the masters of stifle, the New Jersey Devils. Heatley is tied for the playoff scoring lead with the now idle Scott Gomez with 14 points and his seven power-play points are also tied for the playoff lead.

Who will win and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals from the 2007 NHL Playoffs? Bet on Bodog for more odds or visit OddsHQ for the best sports betting odds and lines in sports today.

2007 NHL Playoffs 2007 Stanley Cup