The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup last year, but the Conn Smythe Trophy went to an opponent. This time, they won both.
After Florida’s 5-1 victory in Game 6 to win the Cup in back-to-back seasons, the Conn Smythe Trophy went to center Sam Bennett.
The Conn Smythe is given “to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs.”
“This is way harder than I thought it would be to win, and to win twice, I mean, we put in so much work,” Bennett told Sportsnet’s David Amber and Elliotte Friedman on the ice. “I’m so proud of this group. It’s incredible the team we have here. I’m so proud of all the guys.”
Last year, the Conn Smythe Trophy was awarded to Oilers captain Connor McDavid. However, after this final, the Conn Smythe was presented to a member of the Panthers for the first time in NHL history.
Bennett was the leading goal-scorer of the Stanley Cup playoffs, recording 15 goals in 23 games played. In addition, 13 of those goals were on the road, which set a record in a single post-season.
The 28-year-old didn’t get on the scoresheet in Game 6, but he was all around the net in the final. In those six games, Bennett scored five goals and six points, equalling Brad Marchand for the second-most points by a Panther in the final series.
Bennett is a pending UFA, and there will be no shortage of interest or money to go his way, whether he returns to the Panthers or not.
He played his last game on a four-year contract with a $4.425-million cap hit. With 51 points this season, only seven pending UFAs had more points.
There were a couple of other candidates for Florida to win the Conn Smythe. Marchand was a clear candidate for the award for his incredible production and clutch ability. He would’ve been the oldest player to win the playoff MVP award.
Reinhart was another player who tossed his name in the hat for his play in Game 6. He scored four goals in the Panthers’ Cup-clinching victory, leading the Stanley Cup final in goals with seven and points with 10.
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