Sam Bennett Being Named MVP of 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Sparks Mixed Reactions from Fans: “Marchy Robbed”

Sam Bennett was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs with 15 goals and 7 assists from 23 games.

Sam Bennett Being Named MVP of 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Sparks Mixed Reactions from Fans: “Marchy Robbed”

Sam Bennett (Image via X/@NHLPA)

The Florida Panthers are still the kings of the NHL. On Tuesday, the team clinched their second straight Stanley Cup with a 5-1 win in Game 6 against the Edmonton Oilers. After the game, Sam Bennett was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the playoffs and awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, which ignited mixed reactions among fans.

The Panthers forward was awarded this trophy for his performances in the playoff games this season. He was the leading goal scorer for his team in the playoffs this year with 15 goals from 23 games. On top of that, he also had 7 assists.

The Canadian international eventually ended the campaign with 22 points in the playoffs. He was thus tied for the second-most points alongside captain Aleksander Barkov. Only Matthew Tkachuk (8 goals, 15 assists), Sam Reinhart (11 goals, 12 assists), and Carter Varghese (7 goals and 16 assists) had more points than Bennett.

Bennett was also the top goal scorer in the league in the postseason this year. His 15 goals saw him become the fourth active player in the league to score 15 or more goals in a single postseason after Edmonton Oilers’ Zach Hyman (16 in 2024), Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin (15 in 2018), and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (15 in 2009).

He is also the first player in Panthers history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Last year, this trophy was awarded to Connor McDavid despite his side losing in Game 7 to Bennett and the Panthers.

Social media reactions towards Sam Bennett winning the Conn Smythe Trophy

Winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in the NHL is a big achievement. Each year, the MVP of the playoffs is awarded this trophy for their excellent performance. This year, Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers was the one who took this title home.

Sam Bennett
Sam Bennett (Image via X/@NHL)

This development ignited mixed reactions on social media. While many applauded him, some took a swipe at him and the NHL. Some brought up his hits in the playoffs this year and slammed him. Meanwhile, one user suggested that Brad Marchand should have won this award and wrote, “Marchy robbed” while reacting to this.

Check out that and some other reactions from X below:

Marchand was also one of the top performers for the Panthers in the postseason. After being shockingly traded from the Boston Bruins, the veteran forward got hot in the finals and scored 6 goals against the Oilers including a 2OT winner in Game 2 which brought his side back on level terms.

Sam Bennett heaps huge praise on Brad Marchand following Stanley Cup Final

To picture Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand celebrating a Stanley Cup Final victory together at the start of the season was difficult. The two shared some history between them and were nemesis. However, things changed after Marchand got traded to the Panthers this year. Following the game, Bennett heaped some high praise on his teammate.

Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand
Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand (Image via Yardbarker/CBS News)

After the triumph, Bennett would speak with David Amber and Elliotte Friedman. As he described the feeling of winning the cup again, the crowd at the Amerant Bank Arena would explode in joy as Marchand lifted the Cup and skated with it. When asked about him, Bennett expressed that he was the biggest ‘dawg’ he had ever played with.

That guy is the biggest dog I think I’ve ever played with. He’s incredible. Sorry for my language, but this guy, the best leader, he leads by example. He speaks up. He’s fearless out there.

Both Marchand and Bennett will become Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) once their contract expires. Given the performances they had in the postseason, chances are that the Panthers would try to sign them both again and keep them with the team’s core.

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