NHL Vezina Trophy Watch
As the 2023 NHL regular season has come to an end, the watch is on already as we await to hear which goaltender will be taking home the Vezina Trophy this year.
The Vezina Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in the National Hockey League, and after each season, fans and analysts alike look forward to predicting who will take home the coveted award.
Linus Ullmark - Boston Bruins
One goaltender who is for sure to be in the conversation for the award is Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins. Ullmark busted out onto the scene this season for the Bruins, in 48 games started the netminder posted a win-loss record of 40-6-1 throughout his 2022-23 campaign.
A huge cornerstone of the Bruins success throughout the 2022-23 season, Ullmark’s 40 wins on the year contributed towards the team’s historic 65 win season, the most ever by an NHL franchise.
To start 48 games in the pipes and only suffer seven combined losses through regulation and in overtime is truly remarkable. But Ullmark’s other statistics to his name is also what makes him stand out as a winner.
The Bruins goalie also put up a 1.89 goals-against average, with a save percentage of .938. Through 49 total appearances Ullmark conceded only 91 total goals, backing 1,366 total saves.
Ullmark in tandem with teammate goaltender Jeremy Swayman helped the Bruins earn the Williams M. Jennings trophy, the award annually given to the goalies who allow the fewest goals given up in the league.
But with his massive win record, and very low goals against average Ullmark has the best odds to win the award.
Ilya Sorokin - New York Islanders
Another goaltender to keep an eye on is Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders. The Sorokin era on Long Island is something the New York Islanders fan base has been waiting for, for a while.
With overpaying other goaltenders in the past, injuries, and many years of rolling with a tandem of two, the New York Islanders haven’t had “that guy” in the net for the team.
Sorokin picked up this season where he left off last year. With 60 games started this season a career-high, Sorokin pitched a record of 31-22-7, with the 31 victories also being a career-high.
Along with his career-high totals, Sorokin also recorded a goals-against average of 2.34 and a save percentage of .924.
Sorokin was also make-or-break towards the Islanders’ playoff push, 11 out of the 31 wins for the netminder came down to a one-goal game.
While Sorokin gave up 140 goals on the year, the young goalie also led the league in shutouts with six total games this season without yielding a goal.
These impressive stats could help make a case for Sorokin to surpass the projected leader Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins.
Connor Hellebuyck - Winnipeg Jets
The last candidate to look out for is Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. The Winnipeg goaltender is looking for his second career Vezina honor after winning his first one for the 2019-20 season.
In Hellebuyck’s eighth season in Winnipeg, the netminder has put up once again consistent stats to keep his status as a leader on the team.
In 64 games started, Hellebuyck backstopped the Jets to a record of 37-25-2 picking up his first 31+ win season since the year he won his Vezina in 2019-20.
With that win-loss record, the Winnipeg goalie also had a goals-against average of 2.49 and a save percentage of .920. Hellebuyck also pitched four shutouts to his name this season.
Hellebuyck’s 37 wins were valuable towards the Jets clinching that last wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
While it may be a long shot, it could help out the goaltender win his second career Vezina in four seasons.
Matt Cabram is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mwc5817@psu.edu
