Panthers win 2025 Stanley Cup: Florida’s Sam Bennett earns Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP

Sam Bennett has won the Conn Smythe 2025 trophy as a MVP of the Playoffs of the Stanley Cup. Bennett was a force for the Panthers All Posteason, and his 15 post -season goals led the league.

Bennett’s victory marks the first time a panther has won the Conn Smythe trophy despite the victory of the Cup in 2024. Last year, Connor McDavid became the sixth player who won the prize as a member of the losing team.

With the panthers who went to their second consecutive victory of the Stanley Cup, there were a lot of candidates worthy of Smythe, but Bennett stood out among the rest. Few players have the ability to raise their game to the playoffs like Bennett, and showed that this spring.

The 2024-25 campaign was the first time Bennett broke 50 points in the regular season and never scored more than 28 goals in one season. It reached more than half of the number in only 23 matches this post -emptiness.

Bennett had an impact on all series, scoring no less than three goals in each round, while turning teams to their own barn. Thirteen of his 15 goals went on the road, which is a Nhl Playoffs record.

Bennett was a particularly clear thorn next to the Oilers with five goals and an assistance at the Stanley Cup final.

This offensive consistency, combined with Bennett’s defensive skill, made him the key FUC in the defense of the Florida championship. Despite taking on the harsh games every night, the performance of five to five from Bennett was out of the graphs. The Panthers surpassed the opponents 17-11 and owned 59.5% of Bennett goals on the ice in these situations.

There may be a better example of Bennett’s impact than his heroic change in match 3 of the final. He started the play with a helping hand in the defensive end and ended with a magnificent deke in the offensive end.

Bennett will become a free agent on July 1 and his resume suddenly has a couple more bullet points. A twice a Cup champion and the winner of the Conn Smythe trophy can command a high price in the open market, assuming Bennett to arrive. The panthers have a couple of weeks to make a new agreement with Bennett before other teams can make their land.