Sam Bennett has been awarded the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy, recognizing him as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bennett`s performance was a driving force for the Florida Panthers throughout the postseason, culminating in him leading the league with 15 goals.
Bennett`s achievement marks the first time a Panthers player has received the Conn Smythe, even though the team previously won the Cup in 2024. This contrasts with the 2024 award, which saw Connor McDavid become a rare recipient from the losing finalist team.
With the Panthers claiming their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship, there were several deserving candidates for the Conn Smythe. However, Bennett`s play distinguished him above the rest. He is known for his ability to elevate his game significantly in the playoffs, a quality he demonstrated emphatically this spring.
The 2024-25 season represented Bennett`s first time surpassing 50 regular season points, and his career high for goals in a single regular season is 28. Impressively, he scored more than half of that personal best goal total in just 23 playoff games this year.
Bennett consistently made a significant impact in every playoff series, scoring a minimum of three goals in each round. He was particularly effective when playing away from home, with an NHL playoffs record 13 of his 15 goals scored on the road.
He proved to be a persistent challenge for the Edmonton Oilers during the Stanley Cup Final, contributing five goals and one assist in that series.
This combination of offensive output and strong defensive play made Bennett a crucial element in Florida`s successful defense of their championship. Despite being matched up against tough opponents every night, Bennett`s performance at five-on-five was outstanding. The Panthers outscored their opponents 17-11 and held a 59.5% share of expected goals when Bennett was on the ice in these situations.
A prime example of Bennett`s impact was a memorable shift in Game 3 of the Final. He initiated the sequence with a powerful hit in his own end before finishing the play with a beautiful deke to score a goal at the offensive end.
Bennett is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and his recent accomplishments significantly enhance his value. Becoming a two-time Cup champion and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner positions him to command a high salary on the open market, should he reach that point. The Panthers have an exclusive window of several weeks to negotiate a new contract with Bennett before other teams are permitted to make offers.
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale