Greg Cote's Poll Dance: Who was MVP of Florida Panthers playoffs? Vote now!
The Conn Smythe trophy is awarded to the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs and voted on by an 18-member panel of hockey writers at the end of the Stanley Cup Final. The 2025 award went this week to Sam Bennett of the repeat-champion Florida Panthers.
Agree with the choice? Or do you know more than a hockey writer? Not saying at all that Bennett was a questionable pick, no, but fans deserve their say, too, and that's where Mr. Poll Dance comes in. The Panthers' talent is so rich and deep that ours is a large ballot -- 10 names, listed alphabetically.
No category for 'other,' sorry. I mean, there's 10 names here.
But there's a twist! This is a Most Valuable Person poll. Eight players dominate our ballot, but we include two men in suits during games, not on skates: Coach Paul Maurice and general manager Bill Zito.
However you parse what 'most valuable' means in bestowing the most credit for this title run, pick your one MVP.
Vote as many times as you'd like or until your fingers ache.
GREG COTE POLL DANCE: WHO WAS FLORIDA PANTHERS' PLAYOFF MVP?:
Previous Poll Dance verdict: Close! Split-decision on Heat and Durant: This was an unusually close Poll Dance. We asked, 'Should the Miami Heat (once again) pursue Kevin Durant?' You said: No. You don't build a future with a guy almost 37 years old, 37%; Yes! He's still great even at his age, 32%; and Yes, but only if the price is right, 31%. Although the no's led in most votes, the combination of yes votes (outright or qualified) totaled a majority of 63 percent.
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