While Sam Bennett took home the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy after a historic postseason run that included 15 goals, the voting was closer than many might expect. The Professional Hockey Writers Association released the voting results, with Bennett receiving 76 points and teammate Brad Marchand close behind with 68.
Bennett and Marchand were the only players to receive first- and second-place votes, making them the clear-cut choices among the 18 writers. Others receiving votes included Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and Gustav Forsling, and Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl. Points were awarded on a 5-3-1 basis, and the deadline to submit ballots to the NHL occurred with 10 minutes remaining in Game 6.
From the start of the playoffs, Bennett established himself as a force. While he was one of five Panthers to record at least 22 points during the playoffs, his 15 goals led the team by a margin of four. He also became just the fourth active player to score at least 15 goals in a single postseason, joining Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Zach Hyman. He also joins an elite list of centers to accomplish the feat, including Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Joe Sakic.
Marchand posted 10 goals and 20 points during the playoffs, but shone brightest in the finals, where he scored six goals, including Game 2’s overtime winner. After going without a goal in the Panthers’ opening series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Marchand went on to produce 10 goals in the team’s final 18 games. Acquired at the trade deadline from the rival Boston Bruins, Marchand is one of the most pivotal deadline additions in recent memory.
Bobrovsky finished a distant third in voting with 10 points. He delivered his usual steady performance in goal, posting a .914 save percentage and three shutouts over 23 playoff games. He arguably saved his best for last, turning aside 28 of Edmonton’s 29 shots in the cup-clincher. Bobrovsky finished fourth Conn Smythe voting last season.
What clown voted for Draisaitl?
Seven of the 18 writers voted Drai in 3rd place. Not that controversial; he lead all playoff scoring.
What clown wouldn’t have Draisaitl in the running?
Somehow the best player on the 2-time Champs can’t get a Conn Smythe award. Shutting down the other teams best players for 8 straight series gets no respect. & Add in point production. Nah not good enough.
It’s so wild to me how Bobrovsky just consistently finds another gear in the playoffs. You’ll look at his regular season stats, he’ll have like a .897 on the year… Then the playoffs start and he’s putting up .914. It’s consistent enough at this point that it’s a trend.
Polar opposite of Hellebuyck, who will have .920 in the regular season and flub completely in the playoffs with like a .876.
But this is exactly why regular season numbers don’t really matter – totally different ballgames. If you make it in, you’re Gucci. If I remember correctly, both Florida and Edmonton were #6 seeds in their respective conferences… Winnipeg and Washington were #1.
Especially considering it was completely flipped during Bob’s first ~7 NHL seasons!
Bob is a mysterious netminder. Not long ago he was on everyone’s “Albatross Contract” list and it seemed like the org was just waiting for Spencer Knight to take the reigns. Whelp… here we are, staring at old Bobby Two-Cups now.
Well hey, maybe we get a season where Hellebuyck just absolutely steals a Cup Hasek style. Would love to see it.
Don’t see Bennett and Marchand going anywhere. Why would you?