By Mayer Fink
The Vezina Trophy is awarded to the best goaltender in the NHL each season. Throughout the history of the NHL, there were a handful of world-class goaltenders that won the award multiple times, including Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy, sometimes making the award seem pretty predictable each season. However, in recent seasons, the Vezina winner has been tougher to predict with only one goaltender winning the award twice in the past decade.
This season is going to be tougher than ever before to predict the Vezina Trophy winner with multiple talented goaltenders more than capable of having elite seasons. With that in mind, bettors can find some dark-horse candidates to win the Vezina and provide a great payout in the process.
Vasilevskiy is the frontrunner to win the Vezina Trophy and understandably so. Last season, he finished in second place after putting together a .925 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average on 1,237 shots. And then in the playoffs, Vasilevskiy dominated in the net for the Lightning, allowing the team to win its second consecutive Stanley Cup and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs.
Vasilevskiy is one of the best, if not the best goaltender in the world and should win the Vezina for the second time in his career. The only thing stopping him could be fatigue as the Lightning played in back-to-back Stanley Cups and the non-stop starts could wear down the world-class goaltender this season.
#GottaSeeIt: Andrei Vasilevskiy makes a ridiculous behind-the-back glove save. pic.twitter.com/O5pcjeI0pI
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 11, 2018
Hellebuyck is consistently one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, and the hockey world took notice when he won the Vezina Trophy at the end of the 2019-20 NHL season. As the Jets’ starting goaltender, Hellebuyck should be in the running for the award, especially if the Jets have another great season.
The primary reason Hellebuyck could lose the Vezina is, unfortunately, his workload as he faces more shots than any goaltender in the NHL, leading the league in the category in each of the last three seasons. The number of shots he faces ideally would improve Hellebuyck’s case each season, considering he is still one of the best in the game, but conversely, the volume of shots also makes his other stats like save percentage or goals-against average look worse than other goaltenders in the running.
Looks like Connor Hellebuyck's earned himself a free dinner after this save. 😅 pic.twitter.com/Wy1VrWhSZd
— NHL (@NHL) November 17, 2019
Shesterkin has only been in the NHL for a few seasons but has already established himself as one of the best young goaltenders in the game. Last season at 25 years old, Shesterkin emerged as the Rangers’ No. 1 goaltender with a .916 save percentage and a 2.62 goals-against average on 987 shots. With the young goaltender expected to continue to grow and improve, it would come as no surprise if Shesterkin wins the Vezina Trophy and provides great odds in the process.
GREAT double save by Igor Shesterkin 🤯 pic.twitter.com/t3l7ASOWIa
— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) April 23, 2021
Binnington put himself on the map when, at 25, he led the Blues to their first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history in 2019. Binnington isn’t one of the first goaltenders that comes to mind when you think of elite goalies, but Binnington has remained one of the best in the NHL year in and year out. If the Blues have a big season in the Central Division and are led by their defense and 28-year-old goaltender, Binnington could be a dark horse to win the Vezina Trophy.
Jordan Binnington with the SPLITS to make this save
— FanSided NHL (@FanSidedNHL) March 10, 2020
(via @StLouisBlues)pic.twitter.com/XUtbiccq2W
Talbot is getting long odds to win the Vezina Trophy, and it’s understandable considering Talbot has been in the league for nine seasons but has never established himself as an elite goaltender. However, Talbot has resurrected himself in Minnesota with the Wild, and last season put together the best season of his career with a .915 save percentage and a 2.63 goals-against average on 1,008 shots. Talbot is a true dark horse to win the Vezina, but with the Wild expected to compete for the best record in the Western Conference and Talbot continuing to play well in the net, the 34-year-old goaltender can easily take home the award.
Cam Talbot with a save of the year candidate committing grand larceny with his glove pic.twitter.com/OoJJ6l7fUt
— Internet #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) April 2, 2021
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
