Hellebuyck Kuemper Vasilevskiy Named 2023 Vezina Trophy Finalists

Connor Hellebuyck has dominated NHL goaltending this season, leading the Winnipeg Jets to their first-ever Presidents’ Trophy while putting up numbers that have him as the clear favorite for the Vezina Trophy.

The NHL announced Monday that Hellebuyck, along with Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, are this year’s finalists for the award given to the league’s top goalie.

Hellebuyck’s season has been nothing short of spectacular. He went 47-12-3 in 62 starts, leading the league with a 2.00 goals-against average and eight shutouts.

Even more impressive? He saved nearly 40 goals more than expected according to advanced stats – the kind of number that makes analytics experts do a double-take.

It’s Hellebuyck’s third straight Vezina nomination, and he’s already got the Jennings Trophy locked up for being part of the NHL’s stingiest defensive team.

If he wins, he’ll be the first three-time Vezina winner since Martin Brodeur grabbed his third back in 2007. Though he’s still got a ways to go to catch Jacques Plante’s record of seven.

Vasilevskiy’s having quite the comeback year himself. The Lightning’s star goalie bounced back from an off year to post his best save percentage (.921) in four seasons, starting a league-high 63 games.

The man they call “The Big Cat” recorded six shutouts and a solid 38-20-5 record, likely earning him second place in the voting.

Then there’s Kuemper’s surprising resurgence in Los Angeles. After struggling in Washington, the 34-year-old veteran found new life with the Kings, putting up numbers that rival his Stanley Cup-winning season with Colorado.

In 50 starts, Kuemper went 31-11-7 with a .921 save percentage and five shutouts. It’s his first time being nominated for the Vezina in his 13-year career, though he’s come close before, finishing fifth in 2019 while with Arizona.

The winner will be announced next month, but Hellebuyck’s dominant regular season makes him the clear frontrunner to take home the hardware.