Full Breakdown
Vezina Trophy Finalists: Sorokin, Swayman, Vasilevskiy
4/30/2026, 2:35:43 AM
Announcement of 2025-26 Vezina Finalists
On April 29, 2026 the NHL announced Ilya Sorokin (NY Islanders), Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning) as the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, the league’s top-goaltender award voted on by the 32 general managers.
Background
The Vezina, first awarded in 1927, has been decided by general-manager ballots since 1981-82. The finalists are revealed weeks before the NHL Awards ceremony. The award’s prestige has grown alongside the adoption of advanced goaltending metrics such as goals-saved-above-expected.
Profiles & Season Statistics
- Ilya Sorokin – 30-year-old Russian, 78th-overall pick (2014). 29-24-2 record, 2.68 GAA, .906 SV%, league-leading seven shutouts, 452 high-danger saves, 18 road wins. Second finalist appearance.
- Jeremy Swayman – 27-year-old Alaskan, 111th-overall pick (2017). 31-18-4 record, 2.71 GAA, .908 SV%, two shutouts, 31 wins (tied for fourth league-wide). First finalist.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy – 31-year-old, 19th-overall pick (2012). 39-15-4 record, 2.31 GAA (some reports list 2.12 GAA), .912 SV%, league-leading 39 wins. Six-time finalist and 2018-19 winner.
All three ranked in the top ten for core metrics; MoneyPuck placed Sorokin (25.3), Swayman (28.8) and Vasilevskiy (24.7) among the top four goalies in goals-saved-above-expected.
Why It Matters
Sorokin’s elite numbers arrived despite the Islanders missing the playoffs, underscoring the Vezina’s focus on individual performance. Swayman’s rebound from a weak 2024-25 season illustrates the impact of personal improvement on a team’s return to the postseason. Vasilevskiy’s consistency makes him a strong candidate for a second award. The trio’s selection fuels ongoing debate over the relative weight of team success versus statistical excellence.
Official Statements & Responses
The NHL announced the three finalists, emphasizing that the Vezina Trophy is decided by ballots submitted by the league’s 32 general managers after the regular season.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts noted the exclusion of Washington Capitals’ Logan Thompson, who led the league in goals-saved-above-expected (29.3) and posted a .912 SV% with 31 wins, describing his omission as the most notable snub of the voting cycle.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Vasilevskiy’s goals-against average is reported as 2.31 GAA by Field Level Media and 2.12 GAA by another outlet, creating a minor statistical inconsistency. All other figures are consistent across sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s a tremendous honor,” — Alfie Michaud, UMaine assistant coach/goalie coach
- “It’s a goal of his to be one of the best goalies in that league. It’s a feather in his hat.” — Alfie Michaud
- “He learned a lot from last year and grew from it and is trying to apply it to this year and he has done that,” — Alfie Michaud
What’s Next
The NHL Awards ceremony in early May will reveal the Vezina winner, and the finalists’ performances may influence contract negotiations for the 2026-27 season.
