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Vezina Finalists Sorokin, Swayman, Vasilevskiy Announced Amid Snubs

4/30/2026

26 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

NHL Announces Vezina

The NHL announced Ilya Sorokin, Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy as three finalists for the 2025-26 Vezina Trophy on April 29, 2026.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin and Jeremy Swayman posted records of 39-15-4, 29-24-2 and 31-18-4 respectively, with save percentages of .912, .906 and .908 respectively.
Fans criticized the snubs of Logan Thompson (31-21-6, .912 save %) and Scott Wedgewood (31-6-6, 2.02 GAA, .921 save %).

Summary

Vezina Finalists Announced

Vezina Trophy finalists were announced the day after the league released the Ted Lindsay Award nominees.
Andrei Vasilevskiy entered the finalists after a 2025-26 season that extended his nine-year streak of 30-win seasons, the second-longest active run behind Martin Brodeur’s 12-season record.
Ilya Sorokin would become the first New York Islanders goaltender to win the Vezina since Billy Smith in 1981-82.

History

Historical Context

Drafted by the Islanders in the 1972 expansion draft, Billy Smith became the starter in 1974-75, guiding New York to its first playoff and four straight Stanley Cups (1980-83). In 1981-82 he earned the Vezina Trophy with a 2.45 goals-against average, cementing a goaltending legacy echoed today by candidates like Andrei Vasilevskiy.

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NHL Announces Vezina

The NHL announced Ilya Sorokin, Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy as three finalists for the 2025-26 Vezina Trophy on April 29, 2026.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin and Jeremy Swayman posted records of 39-15-4, 29-24-2 and 31-18-4 respectively, with save percentages of .912, .906 and .908 respectively.
Fans criticized the snubs of Logan Thompson (31-21-6, .912 save %) and Scott Wedgewood (31-6-6, 2.02 GAA, .921 save %).

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