Vezina Trophy Nominees: Top 10 Candidates

Vezina Trophy Nominees: Top 10 Goalies

Two months ago, Braden Holtby was a run away favorite for Vezina Trophy nominees. Several goaltenders are quietly putting together excellent seasons, with upwards of 10 candidates vying for the award.

The Vezina Trophy is an annual award given to the NHL’s best goaltender.

It was named in honor of Montreal Canadiens legend Georges Vezina. It was first awarded back in 1926-27, and from 1946-47 to 1981-82, the Vezina was awarded to the goaltender on the team with the lowest goals against average.

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Most Vezina Trophy Wins:

7 – Jacques Plante
6 – Dominik Hasek
6 – Bill Durnan
5 – Ken Dryden
4 – Martin Brodeur
4 – Michel Larocque
4 – Terry Sawchuk
4 – Tiny Thompson
3 – Patrick Roy
3 – George Hainsworth
3 – Glenn Hall
3 – Tony Esposito
2 – Ed Belfour
2 – Tim Thomas
2 – Bernie Parent
2 – Gump Worsley
2 – Charlie Hodge
2 – Johnny Bower
2 – Turk Broda
2 – Charlie Gardiner

Vezina Trophy Nominees: Top 10

*statistics not including Saturday’s games

Feb 6, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save during the first period of their game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
31 wins – 2.07GAA – .928 save percentage – 2 shutouts

Along with teammate Alex Ovechkin, the pair continue to make an argument for Hart Trophy consideration. Washington is arguably the NHL’s best team in 2015-16, and a lot credit is due to the man between the pipes. If the Capitals can advance to the Stanley Cup finals, Holtby will be the most decorated player at the NHL awards.

Jan 21, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
30 wins – 2.15GAA – .930 save percentage – 7 shutouts

Can we finally stop calling him a decent goalie on a great team? His numbers in 2015-16, including those seven shutouts suggest Corey Crawford deserves more credit for Chicago’s two Stanley Cups in the past three years.

Feb 6, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save during overtime against the Washington Capitals at Prudential Center. The Capitals defeated the Devils 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils
23 wins – 2.03GAA – .929 save percentage – 4 shutouts

After putting up solid statistics in 2014-15, regardless of New Jersey having one of the NHL’s worst records, Schneider continues his brilliance in 2015-16. The Devils are 26-20-6 with 58 points, flirting with playoff contention. Without Cory Schneider, New Jersey could very well be sitting in the basement of the Eastern Conference.

Jan 23, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) prepares for a shot in the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers
23 wins – 2.11GAA – .930 save percentage – 4 shutouts

51 games into the regular season, and the Florida Panthers sit atop the Atlantic Division with 67 points. Led by future Hall-of-famer Jaromir Jagr, and young stars Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and Nick Bjugstad, the Panthers are receiving a solid collective team effort, led by the man between the pipes Roberto Luongo. Back-to-back solid seasons puts Luongo in the conversation for Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey.

Feb 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) plays the puck against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period at Gila River Arena. The Kings won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
27 wins – 2.24GAA – .917 save percentage – 3 shutouts

One of the NHL’s top five goaltenders over the past half decade, Quick is putting together another solid campaign in 2015-16. Los Angeles currently leads the Pacific Division with 65 points, and should be considered favorites in the Western Conference to make a deep playoff run.

Feb 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) makes a save against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay defeated Detroit 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning
21 wins – 2.02GAA – .926 save percentage – 2 shutouts

After a slow-start, Tampa Bay is beginning to string together wins as they look to close the gap between themselves and the Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division. Bishop’s stats are comparable to the Holtby’s and Crawford’s of the NHL, but he’ll need to accumulate more starts and wins for stronger consideration.

Feb 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) defends a shot by Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) in the third period of the game at Staples Center. Ducks won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

7. John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
12 wins – 1.92GAA – .923 save percentage – 4 shutouts

Here’s a guy that would’ve been in the same conversation as Braden Holtby if he had begun the year with Anaheim. A late call-up, John Gibson is arguably one of the NHL’s top performers over the past two months. Ducks goalies aren’t getting much goal support in 2015-16, but John Gibson and Frederik Andersen are giving Anaheim a chance to win each and every night.

February 2, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) blocks a shot against Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks
24 wins – 2.37GAA – .915 save percentage – 4 shutouts

Arguably the best goaltender over the first two months of the season, Martin Jones continues to play well between the pipes for San Jose. His goals against average would look better with a stronger defensive group in front of him. They rolled the dice in the offseason acquiring Jones, and it’s paid off. The Sharks have security in goal for many years to come.

Feb 6, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek (34) makes the save during the second period of the game against the New York Islanders at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings
18 wins – 2.06GAA – .931 save percentage – 3 shutouts

The pending restricted free agent cemented himself as Detroit’s starter once Jimmy Howard‘s play fell off the map. Due for a pay raise in the offseason, the Red Wings have difficult decisions to make already committing north of $5 million/year to Jimmy Howard. Like Bishop, Mrazek’s stats are Holtby-like, but with several fewer minutes played. He’ll need more wins and minutes to generate consideration to be in the group of Vezina Trophy nominees.

Next: Calder Trophy Race: Rookie Candidates

Jan 25, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Barclays Center. Detroit Red Wings won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Jaroslav Halak, New York Islanders
12 wins – 2.18GAA – .921 save percentage – 2 shutouts

He’s missed some time due to injury – opened the season on the IR. After breaking several Islanders goaltending records in 2014-15, Halak continues to be a brick wall for New York in 2015-16 (even with a mediocre defense core struggling to stay healthy). The solid performances are refreshing, but Halak needs to put together a 60+ start season to prove himself.

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