Andrei Vasilevskiy captured 17 of 32 first-place Vezina votes after a .912 save percentage in 58 starts during 2025-26.
Vasilevskiy’s sustained elite output
Vasilevskiy posted 39 wins while ranking third league-wide in save percentage among goalies with at least 30 games. He started 58 contests, a workload matched by only Washington’s Logan Thompson among those posting a save percentage above .902. Since the pandemic-affected seasons only two goalies have played more than his 296 games and only four have posted a higher save percentage. MoneyPuck data place his goals saved above expected in the top six every season except 2023-24. The Lightning netminder earned Vezina finalist status six times with two wins before turning 32.
Swayman’s rebound and workload demands
Jeremy Swayman delivered his second strong season in three years after a .914 save percentage as a rookie that placed fifth in Calder voting. Over the last five seasons few netminders have posted better metrics across multiple categories. Boston required elite goaltending to reach the playoffs in 2025-26 and Swayman supplied it following a contract dispute that delayed training camp. The Bruins defensive structure has not improved markedly, raising questions about repeatability compared with Vasilevskiy’s proven consistency.
Ullmark’s position among division peers
Linus Ullmark enters 2026-27 at age 33 after a 2025-26 campaign that saw him post a .891 save percentage in 49 games for Ottawa. Toronto acquired Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina winner now 38 and coming off his worst statistical season. Florida added Jacob Markstrom, 36, who posted a sub-.900 save percentage over the prior four seasons. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen appeared in only 34 regular-season games and lost his playoff starting role, prompting Buffalo to pursue external options. Ullmark therefore projects ahead of these alternatives by default for Ottawa.
Data points driving the ranking
Vasilevskiy’s 39 wins led all goalies in 2025-26. Swayman’s rookie .914 save percentage ranked fifth in Calder balloting. Ullmark recorded 28 wins in 49 appearances last season. Vasilevskiy started 58 of 82 games while maintaining a .912 save percentage. Only four goalies have exceeded his career save percentage since 2020-21.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.