Don Cherry Makes Pick for 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner
With the Florida Panthers just one win away from winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, attention is starting to turn to the Conn Smythe Trophy and who might win the award as the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.
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The Panthers roster features at least two worthy candidates in Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, both having the best odds to win the award, but Don Cherry and his son, Tim, struggled to pick the possible winner.
In Episode 312 of "The Don Cherry's Grapevine Podcast," Don Cherry called it the toughest Conn Smythe race he's seen.
'Yeah, I don't know," Don Cherry said. "This would be the toughest one of them all."
Tim Cherry believes it will come down to three Panthers players: Bennett, Marchand and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
Panthers center Brad Marchand, right, is considered a front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
'I think it comes down to three," Tim said. "Bobrovsky, Bennett — because he's leading the NHL in goals in the playoffs — and Marchand."
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"You gotta pick one of those guys," Don replied.
"I would say Marchand,' Tim said, to which Don agreed, saying Marchand has made the biggest difference for Florida.
Marchand's trade to the Panthers on March 7 has paid massive dividends for Florida in their third consecutive run to the Stanley Cup Final. The veteran winger has scored six goals against the Oilers, the most in a Cup final since Esa Tikkanen had six for Edmonton in 1988. Marchand has 20 points through 22 postseason games overall.
Game 6 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET Tuesday in Sunrise, Florida. A Panthers win would hand Florida its second consecutive championship, while an Oilers win would force a Game 7 in Edmonton on Friday night.
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Related: Henrik Lundqvist Makes Clear Pick for Oilers' Starting Goalie in Game 6
Related: NHL Makes Historic Connor McDavid Announcement Amid Stanley Cup Final
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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