We’ve spent a good amount of time talking about the Stanley Cup lately, and rightly so. Last month, the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row. In the time since, they’ve celebrated with it all over South Florida, and it’s already been to Canada and back after having all the Panthers’ names engraved right next to last year’s winners. But the Stanely Cup isn’t the only historic trophy that has had the names of Panthers players added to it this summer. In fact, a pair of Panthers were honored with awards and had their names added to trophies. They are Florida centers Sasha Barkov and Sam Bennett. In a photo posted on X by Phil Pritchard, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Keeper of the Cup, Bennett’s name was in the process of being added to the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is given annually to the player voted most valuable to his team during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bennett led all skaters with 15 postseason goals, closing out the playoffs with tallies in each of Florida’s final six road games, scoring eight times during those six contests. About a week later, Bennett signed an eight-year, $64 million extension that will keep him with a growing, championship core that’s built to continue succeeding in South Florida. Another big part of that core is Barkov. Last season, Florida’s captain was voted the winner of a pair of pieces of hardware. He won his second consecutive Selke Trophy, given each season to the NHL’s top voted defensive forward. Overall, it’s Barkov’s third Selke Trophy win, and probably not his last. He wasn’t done there, though. Barkov was also voted the winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is given to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities both on and off the ice. It was fitting that when Barkov was told about his double victories, he was informed by a group of children from Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Barkov’s longtime charitable partner. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, when Barkov committed to donate $1,600 for every goal he scores and $800 for each of his assists, he has contributed over $400,000 to the hospital. Pritchard also shared photos of Barkov’s name being added to both trophies. Eventually, you have to think that all three of these beauties, along with the Stanley Cup itself, will all be together in South Florida. Perhaps on Opening Afternoon…er, Opening Night? We shall see. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers Prospect Pool Receives Solid Grade From Draft Expert [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-prospect-pool-receives-solid-grade-from-draft-expert] Fresh engraving of Brad Marchand's name with Panthers on Stanley Cup directly under his 2011 Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/fresh-engraving-of-brad-marchand-s-name-with-panthers-on-stanley-cup-directly-under-his-2011-bruins] Stanley Cup finds its way to South Florida staple Flanigan's [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/stanley-cup-finds-its-way-to-south-florida-staple-flanigans] Tobias Bjornfot Returns To Panthers On One-Year, Two-Way Deal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/tobias-bjornfot-returns-to-panthers-on-one-year-two-way-deal] Panthers Sign Forward Wilmer Skoog To A One-Year, Two-Way Deal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-sign-forward-wilmer-skoog-to-a-one-year-two-way-deal] Photo caption: Mar 31, 2022; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks with center Sam Bennett (9) during the third period at FLA Live Arena. (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)
