Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett heaped praise on veteran forward Brad Marchand after the Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup on Tuesday night.

Bennett is the first player in Panthers history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Last season, when Florida defeated Edmonton in seven games in the Stanley Cup Final, Oilers captain Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy, becoming the sixth player to win the award from the losing team.

Sam Bennett has won the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bennett was a force for the Panthers all postseason, and his 15 postseason goals led the league. Bennett's win marks the first time a Panther has won the Conn Smythe Trophy despite their Cup win in 2024.