The NHL announced Wednesday that Ilya Sorokin, Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the three finalists for the 2025-26 Vezina Trophy. The finalists were revealed as part of the NHL’s ongoing awards announcement schedule.
The Vezina Trophy is awarded to the goaltender judged to be the best at his position every year. It is decided by NHL general managers submitting ballots at the conclusion of the regular season.
The announcement immediately drew reactions from fans on social media with many questioning the exclusion of Washington Capitals netminder Logan Thompson and Colorado Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood who posted exceptional numbers this season.
Following are some fan reactions from X:
“Thompson robbed and the old and fat GMs are just going to give it to Vasi because he had the most wins”
“Not having Thompson and Wedgewood here is insane work lmao what a fucking joke,” commented one user.
“Logan Thompson had by far the best GSAx (+61.32) and is not even a finalist ?!??” wrote another fan.
Fans expressed frustration over the snubs, particularly for Thompson who led all goaltenders with 42.74 goals saved above expected at 5v5 according to advanced analytics. Thompson finished the season with a 31-21-6 record, 2.44 goals-against average and .912 save percentage for the Capitals playing behind a defense that allowed the ninth-most expected goals against per 60.
“I’m sorry but where’s the avs tandem blackwood and wedgewood both are doing good,” commented one fan.
“Scott Wedgewood being snubbed makes this years vezina worthless. Dumbasses at the NHL,” read one comment.
“How is Wedgewood not on this list? League leader in SV% and GAA, top 5 in wins and SO,” commented another user.
Wedgewood’s case was equally compelling. The Colorado netminder posted a 31-6-6 record with a league-leading 2.02 GAA and .921 save percentage across 43 games. He and teammate Mackenzie Blackwood won the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals against and Wedgewood became the first Avalanche goaltender to finish the season as the league leader in both goals-against average and save percentage.
Jeremy Swayman earns first Vezina nomination
This is Jeremy Swayman‘s first time nomination for the Venezia trophy. Swayman posted a 31-18-4 record with a 2.71 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 54 games, achieving a career-high in wins while helping the Bruins secure a playoff berth.
The first-time finalist ranked fifth in the NHL in total saves with 1,426 and tied for first in 30-save performances with 17.
His 28.8 goals saved above expected were the second-most in the NHL according to advanced metrics. Swayman is seeking to become the seventh different Bruins goaltender to win the Vezina Trophy and the fifth to do so under the current format since 1981-82.
The winner of the 2025-26 Vezina Trophy will be announced at the NHL Awards ceremony later this summer. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets won the award for the 2024-25 season which was his third overall and second consecutive.
Edited by Anjum Rajonno
