Vezina Predictions 2022
The NHL season is just about here, which means it's the perfect time to accurately predict who will be competing for the Vezina Trophy. The Vezina is awarded at the end of every season to the goalie deemed to be the best at his position.
There are three solid goaltenders who are in the running for this award. Sadly for the West all three candidates are by way of the East. 13 of the last 17 winners have been Eastern Conference goaltenders.
Igor Shesterkin - New York Rangers
The reigning Vezina trophy winner has taken the throne for the league’s best goalie. Shesterkin was a huge cornerstone to the Rangers success and deep playoff run last season. At 25-years-old Shesterkin backstopped New York in 53 games with a record of 36-13-4, with a goals against average of 2.07, and save percentage of .935.
It’s insanely hard to win the Vezina two years in a row. Shesterkin is looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Martin Brodeur, who won the award for New Jersey in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
However if the Rangers can improve more offensively, that significantly takes more pressure off Shesterkin which could lead to better numbers.
New York found themselves in many games throughout the regular season and playoff run where Shesterkin just having a small lead could’ve been enough for Igor to bail out the offense.
Igor Shesterkin has opened as the favorite to repeat as the Vezina Trophy winner in 2023 with +250 odds to win.
Andrei Vasilevskiy - Tampa Bay Lightning
At 28-years-old Andrei Vasilevskiy may have written himself a hall of fame career. With four all star appearances, a Vezina Trophy, back-to-back Stanley Cup championships and 2021 Conn Smythe playoff MVP winner.
A second Vezina could solidify his name in hockey immortality at such a young age.
Vasilevskiy is the backbone to Tampa Bay’s depth. Last season, Tampa’s netminder recorded a record of 39-18-5, having the same amount of wins as he did when he won his first Vezina in 2019. It’s the goalie’s third 35 or more win season in the last four years.
Although Vasilevskiy had more wins than Igor Shisterkin, he had a goals against average of 2.49 and a save percentage of .916.
Not only is Vasilevskiy looking for his second award in five years. He along with Shesterkin look to become the second Russian goalie to win the award twice joining Sergei Bobrovsky.
Andrei Vasilevskiy at +500 odds is the only goalie within range of Shesterkin in the opening odds.
Ilya Sorokin - New York Islanders
The Ilya Sorokin era is what the New York Islanders along with their fans have been waiting for. Ever since coming over from the KHL in the 2020-21 season, Sorokin has looked promising for the Islanders.
Last season was Sorokin’s time to shine for New York, handling most of the games played in the goalie tandem with Semyon Varlamov. Starting in 52 games out of the 82, Sorokin went 26-18-8 which may not be the prettiest record as New York struggled early on in the season.
But what opened many eyes for Sorokin last season was his recorded seven shutouts, 2.40 goals against average and his save percentage of .925.
In his rookie campaign back in 2020-21, Sorokin started 22 of the shortened 56 game season. In a short amount of starts the goaltender went 13-6-9, with a goals against average of 2.17 and a save percentage of .918.
As a rookie, Sorokin also led the Islanders to a round one victory handling the East Division champs Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. The big stages are no stranger to Sorokin.
Sorokin comes in as the third favorite to win the trophy at +800 odds to win. He along with Shesterkin and Vasilevskiy are the only three goalies under +1000 odds to win the award.
Matt Cabram is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email
mwc5817@psu.edu.
