The NHL announced the three finalists for the 2016 Vezina Trophy on Wednesday, answering the question of “which two goalies will lose to Braden Holtby?”
All kidding(?) aside, the final trio is Holtby, Ben Bishop and Jonathan Quick.
Holtby tied Martin Brodeur’s single-season wins record at 48 and helped the Washington Capitals run away with the Presidents’ Trophy. His save percentage was nice at .922.
Bishop was part of a massive tie for fourth place in wins at 35, but his save percentage was a sparkling .926. This season really cemented his spot as a legitimate go-to guy in net.
Quick has been a polarizing goalie for some time, pleasing “mainstream” pundits with his Stanley Cup rings and doing so again with his 40 wins, second only to Holtby. His .918 save percentage might be the sticking point; that mark ties him for 23rd in the NHL among netminders who’ve played at least 20 games.
There are plenty of goalies who enjoyed strong seasons, fueling what’s sure to be a very rational, well-mannered debate ... about who should have lost most prominently to Braden Holtby.
Who's going to take home the Vezina 🏆 ? #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/3p5hwTEBUx
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) April 27, 2016
Do note that NHL general managers are responsible for the voting.