2009 Vezina Trophy Nominees

Who Is The NHL’s Best Goalie?

Mar 22, 2009 Dan Leggieri

Veteran goalies may have to wait another year to be recognized as the NHL's top goalie, as a rookie looks poised to steal the show.

The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". 30 NHL General Managers vote for the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team during the regular season. The 2008/2009 Hart Memorial Trophy candidates should be:

Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks

2008/2009 Stats to date: 52 Games Played, 36 Wins, 8 Losses, 7 Ties, 6 Shootout Losses, 124 Goals Against, .911 Save %, 2.42Goals Against Average, 6 Shut-outs

The 2001 rookie of the year has been having a quiet season in San Jose. The Sharks are right at the top of the league and have been all season. After trading away Miikka Kiprusoff and Vesa Toskala, Nabokov took the starting role and ran with it. The Sharks are a scary team to play against night in and night out and Nabokov is one of the main reasons for that. Over shadowed on a team of future hall of fame players, maybe its time Nabokov gets the recognition he deserves.

Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames

2008/2009 Stats to date: 66 Games Played, 41 Wins, 18 Losses, 5 Ties, 4 Shootout Losses, 184 Goals Against, .904 Save %, 2.86 Goals Against Average, 4 Shut-outs

This former Venzina Trophy winner is on pace to break his career record for wins in a season (42 in ‘05/‘06) and currently leads all NHL goalies in that stat. The 32-year-old Finnish goaltender has had his ups and downs this season with the Flames, but has always showed up when it counts. “Kipper” has one of the calmest demeanors in the league and is a key ingredient to the Flames success this season.

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

2008/2009 Stats to date: 44 Games Played, 27 Wins, 10 Losses, 6 Ties, 6 Shootout Losses, 103 Goals Against, .917 Save %, 2.40 Goals Against Average, 6 Shut-outs

Considered the best goalie in the league today, Luongo has been rock solid for the Canucks all season long. Never really playing with a solid team in front of him, Luongo has showcased his skills in the past, but is really shining with the re-vamped Canucks and is already being tagged with the starting job for Team Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

2008/2009 Stats to date: 48 Games Played, 30 Wins, 11 Losses, 7 Ties, 4 Shootout Losses, 103 Goals Against, .930 Save %, 2.13 Goals Against Average, 4 Shut-outs

Having clinched their first division title in five years, the Bruins have flourished with Thomas between the pipes. Thomas currently leads the league in save percentage and goals against average and is having the best season of his career.

Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets

2008/2009 Stats to date: 51 Games Played, 30 Wins, 17 Losses, 3 Ties, 9 Shootout Losses, 113 Goals Against, .919 Save %, 2.23 Goals Against Average, 9 Shut-outs

The lone rookie in the 2009 class of Vezina candidates, Mason has had a fantastic campaign, leading the league in shut-outs and ensuring that Columbus will see playoff action for the first time in the franchise’s history. Mason also has a chance at becoming the first goalie to win the Calder and the Vezina in the same year since Ed Belfour did it while playing in Chicago in 1991.

The copyright of the article 2009 Vezina Trophy Nominees in Ice Hockey is owned by Dan Leggieri. Permission to republish 2009 Vezina Trophy Nominees in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Comments

Mar 23, 2009 8:30 PM
Guest :
two horse race between mason and thomas, but i gotta think this is going to thomas. his numbers are a little bit better and his team is leading the east. he's also got that feel good story vibe to him, too.
Apr 1, 2009 1:59 AM
Guest :
I'm picking Thomas or Luongo. Thomas has been consistent all season, but Luongo has been dominant as of late.

Apr 6, 2009 2:56 PM
Guest :
I agree its Thomas's year , several other netminers are worthy. But its clear Thomas is the man
Apr 10, 2009 6:55 AM
Guest :
Only one goalie is in top five in wins, shutouts, save % and GAA. And that goalie isn't even on your finalist list. How about you do a little homework....
Apr 10, 2009 9:13 AM
Guest :
i kind of disagree. Kiprusoff has the wins but thats about it. Thomas doesn't have as many games played as other goalies and has a very good defense in front of him. Mason's team plays under a defensive system. Maybe luongo deserves a nomination and i think nabokov definately deserves it. Where's Henrik Lundqvist?
Apr 11, 2009 9:54 AM
Guest :
ithink its going to be thomas, luongo, or kipper.
Apr 11, 2009 2:44 PM
Guest :
LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apr 23, 2009 6:29 AM
Guest :
miikka kiprusoff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apr 23, 2009 10:16 AM
Guest :
luongo and thomas only played 54 games each. Lundqvist played 70 and had over 2000 shots on goal against him and still managed to have more wins than either. 'Nuff said.
Apr 23, 2009 5:19 PM
Guest :
Lundqvist ? Huh ? Numbers don't add up. Arguments below aren't even sensible. And playoffs don't count. There is only Tim Thomas in the running.
Apr 23, 2009 7:42 PM
Guest :
Numbers don't add up? His numbers are amazing, and he actually played a full season. 54 games is nothing. To give it to Thomas you have to split it between him and Manny Fernandez. To play a full season, like the greats actually did (Brodeur, Sawchuk, Esposito), is very exhausting. To continue that pace throughout an entire season is what a goalie's job should be, not 2/3rds of a season. I'm not saying Lundqvist should win this year, but he should definitely be nominated. Thomas's season is the equivalent of playing 3 months of a baseball season and fighting for MVP cause of a high batting average.
Apr 24, 2009 1:53 PM
Guest :
Any hockey fan will tell you THOMAS hands down! NO COMPETITION!!!!!!!!
Apr 27, 2009 11:16 AM
Guest :
Thomas should win it hands down, just as Chara deserves the Norris (Lidstrom had an below average season - for him - and Green was barely a defenseman considering how he plays in his own end) and Julien deserves the Jack Adams. Mason gets the Calder, and deservedly so. If he keeps playing like he did and you consider that he did it for a team that's medicore on a good day, it's easy to see him in the running for the Vezina for years to come. For now, he gets a well earned Calder.
Apr 28, 2009 8:34 PM
Guest :
niklas backstrom is gonna take the crown.
Nov 30, 2009 7:51 PM
Guest :
What's even better is as of December, Ryan Miller is leading every goalie in every single stat...by a lot. Except wins but we are 4 down from leader in GP.
15 Comments