How Bruins' Jeremy Swayman Compares to Fellow 2026 Vezina Trophy Semifinalists

Will Swayman be the first Boston Bruin to capture the award since Linus Ullmark in 2022-23?

Graham Dietz | 1 Hour Ago

Mar 17, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins Jeremy Jeremy Swayman (1) looks on against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images / David Kirouac-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman was named one of three semifinalists for the 2026 Vezina Trophy, which is awarded annually to the goalie that is adjudged “the league’s best.”

The other semifinalists were Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders.

Next. Jeremy Swayman Named Finalist For 2026 Vezina Trophy. Jeremy Swayman Named Finalist For 2026 Vezina Trophy. dark

While the decision ultimately whittles down to a voter system, where all 32 NHL general managers rank the top three candidates on a 5-3-1 points system, this year has a clear favorite by most statistical measures, and it isn’t one that Bruins fans cheer for: Vasilevskiy.

A former Vezina winner (2019), Vasilevskiy’s regular-season save percentage of .912 and goals against average of 2.31 both ranked above Swayman’s (.908, 2.71) and Sorokin’s (.906, 2.68).

The 31-year-old Russian also generated more regular-season wins (39) than any other NHL goalie, whereas Swayman totaled 31 and Sorokin had 29.

Sorokin, another Russian ironically, posted a league-best seven shutouts this season — Swayman and Vasilevskiy generated two apiece — but shutouts are just one part of the equation, and they surely do not outweigh season-long averages.

Aside from advanced metrics, one could say that overall impact on their team’s performance plays a role.

This award is a subjective one at the end of the day, and certain factors like clutchness and highlight-reel saves sometimes give the underdogs a leg up.

That also includes play during high-pressure situations, such as on the penalty kill, and workload, which are both essential elements of playing in the show.

With that being said, Vasilevskiy — who has over 300 career wins and two Stanley Cups under his belt — made four more starts than Swayman and Sorokin during the regular season, so he arguably has the upper hand in the non-obvious categories, too.