Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Legend Critical of Conn Smythe Trophy Choice
Fedorov thinks Bobrovsky was rightful playoff MVP
During his three Stanley Cup wins with the Detroit Red Wings, Sergei Fedorov was a key component in each victory. However, he was never given recognition in any of those springs as winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Years later, Hockey Hall of Famer Fedorov is hinting at anti-Russian bias in the selection of Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett as the MVP of this spring’s Stanley Cup playoff. Fedorov is insisting that Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was the true NHL playoff MVP.
Sam Bennett brought the Conn Smythe trophy to Humane Broward to hang out with shelter cats and help them get adopted 🐈❤️
(via @HumaneBroward, IG/bennysbuddies9) pic.twitter.com/2JTGJxNVKN
— BarDown (@BarDown) June 21, 2025
“If you ask me who the MVP of the playoffs is, without a doubt, in terms of his hockey experience, it is Sergei Bobrovsky,” Fedorov told Russian news agency TASS.
Bennett was the leader in goals during the Stanley Cup playoffs, scoring 15 times. That was four more goals than any other player. He also wound up in a tie for seventh in overall points with 22.
Bobrovsky wound up third in goals-against average at 2.20. He shared the lead in shutouts (three) and was tied for second in save percentage (.914).
Three Russians have previously won the Conn Smythe Trophy. There was Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin in 2009 after beating the Red Wings in the Cup final series. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (2018) and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (2021) were the other Russian Conn Smythe winners.
Red Wings Legends Thinks Politics Played A Role
Fedorov took note of the world political situation in suggesting it as a reason why Bobrovsky was being overlooked. Russia has been banned from international sports since the country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s hockey team won’t be pariticipating in the 2026 Winter Olympics. That will be the first involving NHL players since 2014.
That’s why they pay Sergei Fedorov $1 Billion Dollars 💸 🔥#DetroitRedWings | #Wings pic.twitter.com/p5w4tYztXm
— Missin Curfew (@MissinCurfew) June 1, 2025
“From a purely human point of view, there used to be different rules,” Fedorov said. “Now the world has changed, but this does not diminish the dignity and greatness of our boys, who won the Cup two years in a row in a duel with a very difficult, talented opponent.”
Russian defenseman Dmitry Kulikov also plays for the Panthers.
