### Vezina Trophy Finalists Announced: Hellebuyck, Kuemper, Vasilevskiy Lead the Pack The National Hockey League (NHL) has officially announced the finalists for the prestigious Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender in the league. This year's nominees include Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The award is determined by votes from the 32 NHL general managers, highlighting the significance of this recognition in the hockey community. Hellebuyck, who previously won the award in 2024, is seen as a strong contender to repeat his success this season, having led the league in several key goaltending statistics [https://timesng.com/vezina-trophy-finalists, https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/hellebuyck_kuemper_vasilevskiy_named_2025_vezina_trophy_finalists/s1_16448_42127206]. ### Breakdown of the Vezina Trophy Finalists 1. **Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)** - Achievements: - Previous Vezina Trophy winner (2024). - Led the NHL with 47 wins, 2.00 goals-against average (GAA), and eight shutouts in the 2024-25 season. - Notable save percentage of .925, ranking second among goalies with over 30 games played. - Context: Hellebuyck's performance has been pivotal for the Jets, who secured the Presidents' Trophy this season [https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/hellebuyck-named-finalist-for-vezina-trophy, https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-announces-finalists-for-2024-25-vezina-trophy]. 2. **Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings)** - Achievements: - First-time Vezina finalist. - Played a crucial role in the Kings' success this season. - Context: Kuemper's consistent performance has helped elevate the Kings in the competitive Western Conference [https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/darcy-kuemper-named-vezina-trophy-finalist]. 3. **Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning)** - Achievements: - Previous Vezina Trophy winner (2019). - Recorded a 38-20-5 record with a .921 save percentage and a 2.18 GAA this season. - Context: This marks Vasilevskiy's fifth nomination for the Vezina Trophy, showcasing his sustained excellence in goal [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/lightning_goalie_andrei_vasilevskiy_named_vezina_trophy_finalist/s1_16448_42121237]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Connor Hellebuyck's Season Statistics:** - Wins: **47** - Goals-Against Average (GAA): **2.00** - Shutouts: **8** - Save Percentage: **.925** - **Darcy Kuemper's Impact:** - Key player for the Kings, contributing to their playoff push. - **Andrei Vasilevskiy's Performance:** - Wins: **38** - Goals-Against Average (GAA): **2.18** - Save Percentage: **.921** These statistics underline the exceptional performances of the finalists, particularly Hellebuyck, who has set a high bar for goaltending excellence this season [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6309893/2025/04/28/nhl-vezina-trophy-hellebuyck, https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/2025-nhl-awards-tracker-jets-connor-hellebuyck-headlines-vezina-trophy-finalists]. ### Conclusion: A Competitive Race for the Vezina Trophy In summary, the 2024-25 Vezina Trophy finalists—Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper, and Andrei Vasilevskiy—represent the pinnacle of goaltending talent in the NHL. 1. **Hellebuyck** is the favorite to win, aiming for his third Vezina Trophy, having dominated the regular season with outstanding statistics. 2. **Kuemper** and **Vasilevskiy** also present strong cases, with both having had significant impacts on their respective teams. 3. The final decision will rest with the NHL general managers, who will cast their votes based on these impressive performances. The outcome will not only determine the best goaltender of the season but also add another chapter to the storied careers of these elite players [https://www.espn.co.uk/nhl/story/_/id/44903532/hellebuyck-kuemper-vasilevskiy-named-vezina-trophy-finalists, https://www.nhl.com/news/vezina-trophy-finalists-for-best-goalie-for-2024-25-announced-by-nhl].