The 2025 NHL Awards have begun, and the league is recognizing the top players of the regular season. Among the first finalists announced is Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who has earned a spot in the race for the Vezina Trophy.
The Vezina Trophy is awarded each year to the league’s best goaltender. Hellebuyck is a finalist alongside Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This announcement comes as the NHL playoffs begin, with more awards finalists being revealed throughout the week.
Vezina Trophy Finalists
Here are the finalists for the Vezina Trophy in 2025:
- Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
- Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings
- Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Hellebuyck’s Impressive Season
Connor Hellebuyck, last year’s winner, had an outstanding season. He finished with a 47-12-3 record, leading the NHL with a 2.00 goals-against average (GAA) and a .925 save percentage. He also recorded eight shutouts, the most in the league. This performance helped the Jets achieve the best regular-season record in the league.
Hellebuyck is now aiming to become the first goaltender since Martin Brodeur to win the Vezina Trophy in back-to-back seasons. Brodeur won the award in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
Kuemper’s Strong Performance with the Kings
Darcy Kuemper, a first-time finalist for the Vezina Trophy, had an impressive year with the Los Angeles Kings. He finished with a 31-11-7 record and five shutouts. Kuemper led the league in high-danger save percentage at .863 and finished second in GAA at 2.02. His overall save percentage of .921 ranked him among the best.
Kuemper also enjoyed a standout stretch from March 5 to April 10, where he allowed two or fewer goals in 15 consecutive starts. His consistency helped solidify his place among the league’s top goaltenders.
Vasilevskiy’s Consistency for Tampa Bay
Andrei Vasilevskiy, a veteran goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning, also earned a spot as a Vezina finalist. He finished the season with a 38-20-5 record, six shutouts, and a 2.18 GAA. Vasilevskiy ranked second in wins and tied for first in games played with 63. He also led the league with 1,581 saves.
Vasilevskiy became the fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach 300 career wins, achieving the milestone in just 490 games. This marks his fifth time as a Vezina finalist. Vasilevskiy won the award in 2018-19.
Award Schedule for the 2025 NHL Awards
The NHL is continuing to announce finalists for the 2025 awards. Here’s the full schedule:
- Monday, April 28: Vezina Trophy
- Tuesday, April 29: James Norris Memorial Trophy
- Wednesday, April 30: Ted Lindsay Award
- Thursday, May 1: Hart Memorial Trophy
The Willie O’Ree Community Award winner will be announced on May 12. Finalists for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award will be revealed after the second round of the playoffs.
What’s Next for the Vezina Finalists?
The finalists now await the announcement of the Vezina Trophy winner. Voting for the award occurred at the end of the regular season, though the winner’s reveal date has not been set. Hellebuyck, Kuemper, and Vasilevskiy all had remarkable seasons. Only one will take home the trophy.
As the playoffs continue, fans will also watch the performance of these goaltenders during the postseason. Their playoff performances could influence their chances for the Vezina Trophy. The upcoming weeks will determine who earns the coveted award.
