Panthers star Sam Bennett took home the Conn Smythe as the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but Brad Marchand nearly beat him out.

Sam Bennett was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL playoffs MVP before a jubilant Amerant Bank Arena crowd in Sunrise, Florida, on June 17.

As Sam Bennett’s playoff lore continues to grow with each playoff goal scored, his pending free agency only grows more fascinating. On the one hand, you have a soon-to-be 29-year-old second-line center — a decent one that plays with an edge and has scored at a 53-point pace since joining the Florida Panthers.