Sam Bennett Crowned Conn Smythe Winner After Dominant Stanley Cup Run
So let’s talk about something big that just happened in the hockey world. Sam Bennett—yeah, that gritty, all-heart center for the Florida Panthers—has just won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And honestly, after the run he just had, how could he not?
Florida clinched their second straight Stanley Cup on Tuesday night, taking down the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 at Amerant Bank Arena. And while the Panthers were full of standout performances, Bennett’s playoff campaign was nothing short of legendary. The guy led the entire postseason with 15 goals, and five of those came in the Final series against Edmonton. That’s not just clutch—that’s historic.
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He also didn’t just shine at home. Bennett set a new NHL record with 13 road goals in a single postseason, showing he was dangerous wherever he laced up his skates. He scored in six straight road games, something only a handful of players in league history have ever done. That kind of consistency, especially under playoff pressure, is what makes an MVP.
Bennett finished the playoffs with 22 points in 23 games, making him the fourth-highest point producer on the Panthers. But more importantly, his impact went beyond the scoresheet. He was relentless on the forecheck, physical, always around the net, and never took a shift off. It was that kind of presence that kept Florida charging forward, game after game.
What makes this even more special is that Bennett becomes the first Panther in franchise history to win the Conn Smythe. Last year, Florida won the Cup, but the MVP went to Connor McDavid on the losing side. This time, the Panthers didn’t just lift the Cup—they kept the hardware in-house.
Bennett, who turns 29 this week, is now entering free agency. And with this performance, his value just skyrocketed. Whether he re-signs with Florida or lands elsewhere, there’s no doubt teams are watching. He just capped off a career-best regular season with 51 points, and now he’s got playoff MVP on his résumé.
After the game, Bennett was emotional and humble. “It’s so hard to win one of these, let alone two,” he said. “I’m just so proud of this group. We battled, we stuck together, and we made history again.”
And that’s exactly what he did—make history. Sam Bennett didn't just win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He earned it, every single shift.
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