"Knows he didn’t deserve it" "He can do what he wants": NHL fans left divided over Connor McDavid not turning up to accept Conn Smythe Trophy

NHL fans were left divided after Connor McDavid did not return to the ice to receive the Conn Smythe Trophy. McDavid and the Oilers lost Game 7 to the Florida Panthers 2-1, but McDavid was named the Conn Smythe winner as the playoff MVP.

McDavid led the NHL in scoring in the playoffs and also broke Wayne Gretzky's record for most assists in a playoff run. However, when he was announced as the winner of the award, he did not go on the ice to accept the trophy, which left NHL fans divided.

"Bro knows he didn’t deserve it," a fan wrote.

"I can understand the disappointment of losing game 7, however, I wish he had of come out for the trophy. It would have been a great gesture for his fans and all Canadians," a fan wrote.

Other fans, meanwhile, agree with McDavid that the forward shouldn't have gone back on the ice as he was with his team.

"Yea he can do what he wants. Most in his situation would have done the same," a fan wrote.

"Yes. He's not leaving his teammates in that moment to accept an award. Says a lot if people do not understand that," a fan wrote.

Fans believe it would have been a bad look for McDavid to go out and get booed by Panthers fans.

"Totally agree with it. The guy has no reason to go out while FLA celebrates the biggest win in their franchise's history, and his team just suffered such a heartbreaking loss," a fan wrote.

"Lost game 7 on the road and you want him to go out and booed? NHL should have presented in the visitors locker room and live streamed it to the scoreboard instead," a fan wrote.

Connor McDavid says it's an "honor" to win the trophy

After the loss, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid said it was an honor to win the award, but he was still disappointed with the result of Game 7.

“Obviously, it’s an honor with the names on that trophy,” McDavid said, via NHL.com.

McDavid and the Oilers rallied to force Game 7 after going down 3-0 in the series, but they couldn't complete the comeback. The forward finished the playoffs with 42 points (eight goals, 34 assists) in 25 games.