With one of the most difficult seasons in National Hockey League history wrapping up within the next two weeks. The NHL players and fans will finally figure out who the Vezina Trophy winner is. After three incredible seasons, the finalists for this year’s Vezina Trophy are Tuukka Rask, Connor Hellebuyck, and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
The winner was announced before the start of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals with Hellebuyck taking home the award.
The Vezina Trophy is awarded to the goaltender of the year and is voted on by NHL general managers. The voting did in fact take place prior to the start of the postseason, with finalists announced on July 17th. All three of these netminders have substantial evidence to make a case to win this award. All season long these players have been difference-makers for their respective clubs night in and night out.
Connor Hellebuyck Wins the 2019-20 Vezina Trophy
To start, Connor Hellebuyck, of the Winnipeg Jets. He came off his fourth season in a row of playing at least 55 games for the Jets. This season looked no different from the past. Among goalies that played at least 20 games this season. Hellebuyck finished second in wins with 31 and seventh in save percentage with a .922 percent. Before the COVID-19 hiatus, he finished with a 31-21-5 record adding a 2.57 goals-against average. If he does win the Vezina Trophy this year, he would be the first goaltender in Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history to win the award.
On the other hand, Tuuka Rask of the Boston Bruins season may have ended shorter than most expected. Nonetheless, he just wrapped up one of his best seasons yet. Through 41 games played, Rask recorded an impressive 26-8-6 record. With help from back-up Jaroslav Halak, they were able to secure the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals against at 167 total. Rask also led the league in goals-against average (2.12) with at least 20 games played and a President’s Trophy on top of that. This is Rask’s fifth nomination in his career, with him taking home the hardware in 2013-14.
Last but certainly not least. We have Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The “big cat” has been nominated for the Vezina Trophy for the third year in a row. Last season, Vasilevskiy won his first Vezina award and this could have been the second year in a row he’s won the award. Coming off another stellar season, Vasilevskiy finished with a 35-14-3 record and brought them to the Stanley Cup Final. This is the third season in a row Vasilevskiy has to lead the NHL in wins (35). This could be the first back-to-back winner since Martin Brodeur won in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
What this Means Down the Road
Regardless of who won this Vezina this year. It is safe to say that these three goaltenders will be leading the pack for the coming years. Both Hellebuyck and Vasilevskiy are 27 and 26 years old, respectively. Younger goaltenders who are both under contract till at least 2023-24, these two should end up being Vezina finalists for many years to come. The Jets and Lighting have the most important player on the ice locked-up for quite some time.
With that being said, Rask is coming off his 13-season with the Bruins. His contract will run its course at the end of the 2020-21 season. This leaves Boston with some serious goaltending questions down the line. All-in-all, each of these players is more than deserving of winning this year Vezina Trophy.
Congratulations to Connor Hellebuyck, the 2019-20 Vezina Trophy winner!
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