Vezina Trophy Finalists Announced: Hellebuyck, Kuemper, Vasilevskiy Lead the Pack

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The National Hockey League announced Monday that Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning are the finalists for the Vezina Trophy. This award honors the best goaltender in the league, as voted on by the 32 NHL general managers.

Hellebuyck, 31, is aiming to win the Vezina Trophy for the third time in his career. He had an impressive season, recording 47 wins, eight shutouts, and a save percentage of .925. His goals-against average (GAA) stood at an impressive 2.00. He was a pivotal player for the Jets, aiding them in allowing the fewest goals in the NHL.

Kuemper, who is 34, enjoyed a strong season with the Kings, finishing with a record of 31-11-7. His GAA of 2.02 places him second in the league, with a save percentage of .922. Kuemper praised his teammates and coaching staff, stating, “I owe a lot of thanks to my teammates and Mike Buckley, my goalie coach.”

Vasilevskiy, 30, has also made his mark this season, posting a record of 38-20-5. He achieved a save percentage of .921 and a GAA of 2.18. The Lightning goaltender contributed significantly to his team’s defense, facing the second-most shots in the league.

The Vezina Trophy winner will be announced in the coming weeks, alongside other NHL awards. All three finalists have shown remarkable abilities, making it a competitive race for the prestigious accolade.