Sorokin Favorite In Wide Open Vezina Race

This is an excerpt from the 5 Observations column. For more on Ilya Sorokin and the NHL, check that out, and check out all the fine content at Hockey Hot Stove. Where else can you read an article from long-time hockey writers who know random facts about Mark Howe, Olaf Kolzig, or Doug Gilmour?

Ilya Sorokin’s shutout on Thursday was arguably the best performance of the season, not just for goaltenders but for anyone in the NHL. He made 35 saves against a high-octane Edmonton Oilers offense to lead the New York Islanders to a 1-0 victory. His performance is a reminder that he’s in the driver’s seat to win the Vezina Trophy. 

That said, the race is a fascinating one. The usual suspects to win it aren’t in contention, notably Connor Hellebuyck and Igor Shesterkin, making it a wide-open award. Sorokin is the favorite but this is shaping up to be a close finish, considering the other goaltenders who are putting together great seasons. 

Sorokin Checks All The Boxes For The Vezina 

The assumption from casual hockey fans is that the Islanders are having a great season because of rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer. He’s having a great season along with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal but the team is carried by its goaltending. David Rittich is overachieving as a backup, and Sorokin is having a Vezina-caliber season. 

Sorokin is not only putting together great starts, but he’s also been dominant. His shutout against the Oilers was his fifth of the season, which leads the league. His .915 save percentage (SV%) and 2.47 goals-against average (GAA) are among the best, and he has the narrative as well. 

In 2022-23, he finished second to Linus Ullmark even though he had the better season. Sorokin came up short, even though he willed the Islanders into the playoffs that season, because Ullmark was the best goaltender on the best team in the NHL, a historically great Boston Bruins team. Sorokin is the best goaltender on a great team, and it’s why he’ll get a lot of votes. 

Logan Thompson’s Case

The other big name in the NHL is Logan Thompson, someone hockey fans don’t hear about often but are starting to recognize as an elite goaltender in the NHL. His story is similar to Sorokin’s a few seasons back as he’s leading the Washington Capitals to the playoffs. Bettey yet, he’s having a better statistical season than Sorokin. 

Sorokin’s Stats: 15 wins, .915 SV%, 2.47 GAA, and 14.7 goals saved above average (GSAA)

Thompson’s Stats: 17 wins, .914 SV%, 2.38 GAA, and 16.6 GSAA. 

The other factor is that Thompson is doing this while taking on a greater workload than Sorokin. He’s putting up better numbers while facing 958 shots compared to Sorokin, who faced 813 shots. Thompson is carrying the Capitals and doing so without much help from a backup. 

The wins are also an important thing to keep in mind at the end of the day. The GMs vote on the award and value the win more than most stats. Thompson has 17, and with the Capitals making a playoff push, he’ll be in a good spot to lead the league by the end of the season. 

Other Names to Watch

The goaltender who has a similar narrative as Ullmark from a few seasons back is Scott Wedgewood. He’s the best goaltender on the best team in the league, a Colorado Avalanche team that’s head and shoulders better than the rest. Wedgewood also has the stats to back up a Vezina nomination for what it’s worth. 

Another name to keep in mind is Jeremy Swayman. After a mess of a season that was 2024-25, he’s been incredible and leading the Boston Bruins to a competitive season (without him, they are a last-place team). 

Both Minnesota Wild goaltenders are also putting themselves in the mix. The problem is that Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson will probably split votes.

Ultimately, it’s Sorokin’s award to lose, and with the way the season is playing out, he should finish in first or close to it. That said, this is one of the awards that’s developing into a fun one, where it might come down to the wire by the end of the season.