Bennett wins Conn Smythe as playoff MVP

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Bennett led the postseason with 15 goals en route to the Panthers' second straight Stanley Cup triumph. He added seven assists to finish the 23-game run with 22 points. He also had 48 penalty minutes.

The 28-year-old notched five goals and six points in the Cup Final versus the Edmonton Oilers. Bennett tallied a goal in five of his last seven games.

"This is way harder than I thought it would be to win," Bennett said postgame. "And to win twice, we put in so much work for this. I'm so proud of this group. It's incredible the team we have here. I'm so proud of all the guys. It's the best feeling in the world. I don't know how else to describe it."

Bennett scored more goals this year than he had total points (14) when Florida won the Cup in 2024. He drew praise from his teammates after being named playoff MVP.

“Everyone looks at the goals, and rightfully so, but it's everything he does, even away from the puck," Panthers defenseman Seth Jones said, according to The Associated Press. “His physical presence out there, his 200-foot game, the way he plays away from the puck defensively, how he is on face-offs, I think it's the complete package we're lucky to have. It's been a big part of our success. He puts a lot of teams, a lot of defensemen, on their heels out there."

Florida's head coach, Paul Maurice, succinctly described Bennett's game: "Physical player, incredible speed, and then the hands to finish," Maurice said, according to The Associated Press.

Bennett is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Oilers superstar Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe last year in a losing effort when Florida won their first Stanley Cup.