Brad Marchand narrowly missed winning the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy, finishing just eight points behind his Florida Panthers teammate Sam Bennett, who took home the award as the most valuable player of the playoffs. The announcement came after a closely contested vote among the Professional Hockey Writers Association members following the Stanley Cup Final.
Details of the Conn Smythe Trophy Vote and Playoff Achievements
NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the selection for the Conn Smythe Trophy was determined using a 5-3-1 points system, representing first, second, and third-place votes from the writers. With ballots submitted shortly before the end of Game 6 of the Finals, Bennett obtained 76 points, while Marchand earned 68. Out of 18 voters, Bennett secured 11 first-place votes, and Marchand claimed the remaining seven, with all writers placing the other player second on their ballots.
Bennett’s standout playoff performance was pivotal in his victory. He scored 15 goals throughout the playoffs, setting a new franchise record for the Panthers. Additionally, his 12 goals scored on the road established a new NHL record. Although Bennett did not score in the deciding Game 6, he had scored in the opening game of each playoff round and maintained a scoring streak in five consecutive Stanley Cup Final games, finishing the series with five goals. Among Panthers players, only Sam Reinhart, with seven goals, and Marchand, with six, scored more than Bennett in the Final.
Marchand’s Impact Since Joining Florida Panthers
Brad Marchand joined the Florida Panthers on March 7, just before the NHL trade deadline, and quickly became a vital presence on the team. His contributions during the Stanley Cup Final, including several clutch goals against Edmonton, were instrumental in securing the championship for the Panthers. Marchand finished the playoffs with 20 points in 22 games, highlighted by 10 goals.
Other notable Conn Smythe vote recipients included Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who placed third with 10 points, Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl with seven points, and Gustav Forsling with one point.
Marchand Aims for Team Canada in 2026 Winter Olympics
Looking ahead, Brad Marchand remains focused on earning a spot on Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Though he was not among the initial six players announced recently, team general manager Doug Armstrong expressed optimism about Marchand’s chances to make the final roster. The spot currently held by teammate Sam Reinhart means competition is strong.
“Look, it’s the highest achievement you can have as a Canadian-born player, to be part of Team Canada,” Marchand said via NHL.com. “…Something I’m going to shoot for… It’s still a long way away, right?” — Brad Marchand, NHL Player
“So, it doesn’t matter what’s said right now or how things play out right now, it’s how you perform in the upcoming regular season (that’s going to decide the final roster),” he added. — Brad Marchand, NHL Player
Marchand’s remarkable six-goal performance during the Stanley Cup Final and his overall playoff statistics reinforce his commitment to returning to peak form ahead of the next season, keeping his dream of Olympic participation alive.