Jun 27, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Connor Hellebuyck was awarded the Vezina Trophy during the 2024 NHL Awards at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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NHL 2025 Vezina Trophy: NHL Reveals 2025 Vezina Trophy Finalists

The NHL has officially announced the finalists for the 2025 Vezina Trophy, honoring the league’s top goaltender after an intense regular season.

Jun 27, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Connor Hellebuyck was awarded the Vezina Trophy during the 2024 NHL Awards at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL has officially announced the finalists for the 2025 Vezina Trophy, an award that honors the league’s top goaltender each season. Named after Georges Vezina, a legendary Montreal Canadiens goalie, the trophy has been a symbol of excellence between the pipes since it was first introduced in 1927. Originally awarded to the goaltender who allowed the fewest goals during the regular season, the Vezina evolved into a voted honor in 1981, now recognizing the goaltender judged to be the best at his position, as voted on by the NHL’s general managers.

Winning the Vezina Trophy is one of the highest achievements for a goalie, often seen as a mark of consistency, leadership, and brilliance under pressure. Over the years, it has been claimed by legends like Dominik Hasek, Martin Brodeur, and Patrick Roy. Now, as the 2025 season wraps up, a new group of elite goaltenders stands ready to etch their names into history. The NHL’s announcement sets the stage for a fierce battle among the league’s best netminders.

Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper, and Andrei Vasilevskiy are your Vezina Trophy finalists! #NHLAwards

The Vezina Trophy is awarded every year “to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position". 👏 pic.twitter.com/q2ssOI7egJ
— NHL (@NHL) April 28, 2025

2025 Vezina Trophy Finalists:

Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Andrei Vasilevskiy, who needs little introduction. The Tampa Bay Lightning superstar remains one of the most feared goaltenders in the NHL. Even after years of dominance and a heavy workload from deep playoff runs, Vasilevskiy continues to prove why he’s often called “The Big Cat.” His quick reflexes, elite positioning, and ability to rise in high-pressure moments have kept him in the Vezina conversation year after year.

Darcy Kuemper
Darcy Kuemper made a strong case this season after bouncing back in a big way. After facing some ups and downs in previous years, Kuemper found his rhythm again, playing key minutes and helping stabilize his team’s playoff hopes. His calm demeanor and technical skill have been vital to his resurgence, and this nomination feels like a testament to his perseverance.

Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)
The Winnipeg Jets’ reliable backbone, has once again earned a spot among the league’s elite. Hellebuyck delivered an outstanding season, posting remarkable save percentages and often carrying the Jets during tough stretches. Known for his composure and athleticism, this isn’t unfamiliar territory for Hellebuyck, who previously won the Vezina Trophy in 2020 and has remained a steady presence among the league’s top netminders.

The winner of the Vezina Trophy will be announced during the NHL Awards ceremony later this summer. If the voting is as close as the regular season performances suggest, we could be in for one of the tightest finishes in recent memory.

Regardless of who takes home the hardware, all three finalists have given fans plenty to cheer for and their teams plenty of reasons to believe in deep playoff runs.

Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!