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Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter
The NHL named Sergei Bobrovsky, Thatcher Demko and Connor Hellebuyck finalists for the Vezina Trophy.
The Vezina Trophy, which goes to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position, was voted on by the NHL’s general managers with Bobrovsky, Demko and Hellebuyck finishing in the top three in votes for this season.
A two-time Vezina winner, Bobrovsky was one of the most crucial components of the Florida Panthers‘ success. After reaching the Stanley Cup Final last year as the No. 8 seed, the Panthers came into this season with expectations, while also managing a roster with players who required offseason surgeries.
It made Bobrovsky, who won the award in 2013 and 2017, even more vital. He finished the season 36-17-4 with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage to help the club win its second Atlantic Division title in three seasons while setting the second-highest points total in franchise history. Bobrovsky was third in wins, third in GAA and seventh in save percentage.
Hellebuyck, who won the award in 2020, played a significant role in the Winnipeg Jets becoming one of the NHL’s best regular-season teams. The Jets finished the season with 52 wins while their 110 points kept them in contention for the Presidents Trophy. Hellebuyck finished with a 37-19-4 record, a 2.39 GAA and a .921 save percentage. Those figures were good enough for him to finish second in wins, second in save percentage and fourth in GAA.
Demko, who would be seeking his first Vezina, had the best season of his career despite missing several games with a knee injury. Still, Demko helped the Vancouver Canucks go from being a team that missed the playoffs last season to one that won the Pacific Division while finishing with 109 points. He finished the season 35-14-2 with a 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage. Demko was sixth in wins, fifth in GAA and third in save percentage.