Ranking the 2026 Vezina trophy finalists

The NHL announced its three Vezina trophy finalists on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, recognizing the top goaltenders of the 2025-26 regular season.[1] Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders, Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning earned the nods, as voted by the league’s 32 general managers. Notably absent was Winnipeg Jets star Connor Hellebuyck, who had claimed the award in the previous two seasons.

The Vezina trophy goes to the goaltender adjudged to be the best in the league, based purely on GM ballots. Among the trio, only Vasilevskiy has prior hardware, but past accolades don’t guarantee victory. Here’s a ranking of the finalists, blending advanced metrics, traditional stats, and team context.[2]

3. Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

Jeremy Swayman delivered a strong bounce-back campaign for the Bruins after a disappointing 2024-25. That year, a drawn-out contract dispute led to an eight-year, $8.25 million AAV extension, but his performance faltered with a 3.11 goals-against average and .892 save percentage. Boston missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years, heightening the pressure on their tandem setup.

This season, Swayman posted a .908 save percentage and 2.71 GAA over the regular season. His 28.8 goals saved above expected ranked second in the NHL, per moneypuck.com. These metrics highlight his ability to handle high-danger chances, a key factor in GM voting.

While postseason play doesn’t factor into Vezina consideration, Swayman’s sharp form against the Buffalo Sabres in the first round has kept the Bruins alive. His emotional post-Game 4 outburst underscored the intensity, as detailed in our coverage of the Bruins’ playoff skid.

Swayman’s consistency in a competitive Atlantic Division bolsters his case, though stiffer competition from teammates ahead tempers his ranking. He proved reliable in high-volume games, facing 1,800-plus shots.

Advanced analytics favor him in quality starts, but raw volume leaders edged him out. Still, his resurgence makes him a worthy finalist.

2. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy enters as a strong contender for his second Vezina, building on his elite track record. His 2025-26 numbers weren’t quite at his peak 2024-25 levels of 2.18 GAA and .921 SV%, but they topped the charts among qualifiers.

Vasilevskiy led all goalies with 50-plus games in GAA at 2.31 and SV% at .912; even at 30-plus games, his SV% tied for third. He racked up a league-high 39 wins and ranked fourth in goals saved above expected.

These stats underscore his workload dominance for a Lightning team pushing for playoffs. GMs value volume and reliability, areas where Vasilevskiy excelled, as seen in pre-announcement trackers naming him the favorite.[3]

A memorable Stadium Series moment—a rare goalie fight with Swayman—highlighted his competitive fire, fueling Tampa’s comeback win, as covered in our Lightning recap.

Vasilevskiy’s health management post-injury has been masterful, playing heavy minutes without fatigue. His playoff pedigree adds intangible weight.

1. Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders

Ilya Sorokin and Vasilevskiy dueled atop Vezina discussions all season, but Sorokin’s impact stands out. His .906 SV% and 2.68 GAA trail Vasilevskiy’s marks, yet context elevates him.

Sorokin’s league-leading seven shutouts and third-ranked goals saved above expected demonstrate elite shot quality handling. He shouldered the load for an Islanders squad that flirted with playoffs thanks to rookie Matthew Schaefer’s emergence, but Sorokin’s steadiness was pivotal.

At peaks, Sorokin entered Hart trophy MVP chatter amid the Isles’ surge. Official NHL stats confirm his dominance in clutch spots.https://www.nhl.com/news/vezina-trophy-finalists-for-best-goalie-for-2025-26-announced-by-nhl[1]

Sorokin’s efficiency in a lower-scoring system shines brighter analytically.

Comparing the finalists

• Workload leaders: Vasilevskiy’s 39 wins set him apart in traditional metrics.
• Advanced edge: Swayman’s near-top GSAx shows value beyond counting stats.
• Clutch factor: Sorokin’s shutouts and carry-job for the Isles tip the scales.

Quotes from GMs emphasize Sorokin’s “unbelievable presence,” per league insiders.

The winner, revealed in June at the NHL Awards, could signal goaltending trends. Sorokin deserves it for elevating his team, but Vasilevskiy’s volume makes it close. Expect Lightning fans to rally hard—this pick shapes offseason narratives and playoff confidence.[4]