Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko and Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky have each been named finalists for the NHL’s Vezina Trophy, awarded “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position.” Boston Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark was last year’s recipient.
This is Hellebuyck’s fourth Vezina Trophy nomination of his career, having won the honor in 2019-20. The 30-year-old goaltender had 37 wins for the second consecutive regular season, one fewer than Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev. Hellebuyck’s record was 37-19-4 with a .921 save percentage, a 2.39 goals-against average and five shutouts in 60 games played. Hellebuyck’s season was worthy of this year’s William M. Jennings Trophy, given to the goalie who plays for the team that allowed the fewest goals. The Jets allowed 199 goals in the regular season, the fewest of any team.
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Despite being placed on long-term injured reserve with a knee injury in March that forced him to miss the rest of the regular season, Demko’s statistics still place him among the NHL’s best. Demko finished the season with a 35-14-2 record, a 2.45 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and five shutouts — the most he’s ever had in one season. This is Demko’s first-ever Vezina Trophy nomination. He finished seventh in Vezina voting during the 2021-22 season.
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Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is seeking his third Vezina Trophy, having won each time he’s been nominated. Bobrovsky finished the season with a 36-17-4 record, a .915 save percentage, a 2.37 goals-against average and six shutouts. Those six shutouts put him in a four-way tie atop the NHL leaderboard alongside Washington’s Charlie Lindgren, Arizona’s Connor Ingram and Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry.
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The Vezina Trophy finalists are the first of many award nominees to be unveiled over the next few days through May 8. Calder Trophy finalists for rookie of the year will be revealed Tuesday while Norris Trophy finalists for best defenseman will be known Wednesday.
(Photo of Connor Hellebuyck: Ashley Potts / NHLI via Getty Images)
