Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros was not among the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, which were released by the league Thursday.
The Boston Bruins’ Linus Ullmark, the New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin and the Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck. were named finalists. The Vezina Trophy is awarded each season to the league’s top goalie, as voted on by NHL general managers.
Saros is a two-time NHL All-Star and was a Vezina finalist last year.
The winner will be announced June 26 during the league’s awards ceremony at Bridgestone Arena, site of this year’s NHL Draft on June 28-29.
Saros was 33-23-7 with a .919 save % and a 2.69 goals-against average. His 1,928 saves led the NHL, as did his shots against (2,099) and time on ice (3,089 minutes, 59 seconds). His 63 starts were second in the league.
His save % was tied for fourth best among goalies who started at least 45 games. His win total was eighth. Saros also led the league with 297 penalty-kill saves.
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Saros’ advanced metrics told more of his story. According to moneypuck.com, Saros led the NHL in goals saved above expected (46.7), a measure of a goalie’s expected goals against minus the number of goals he allowed. It also marked the lowest number tracked by the site since its inception in 2008-09.
According to sportlogiq, Saros led the NHL with 10 steals and 41 quality starts. He also was first in slot saves and made the second most high-danger saves.
During a road victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 5, Saros made 64 saves, tied for third most in league history and set a franchise record.
All of that helped the Predators stay in contention for a playoff spot until late in the season, despite a bevy of injuries and selling at the trade deadline.
Ullmark tied for the NHL lead in wins (40), goals-against average (1.89) and save % (.938). Sorokin tied for third in the NHL in games played (62), was third in save % (.924), sixth in goals-against average (2.34), sixth in saves (1,699) and ninth in wins (31). Hellebuyck led the NHL in starts (64) and tied for fourth in save % (.920).
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators: Juuse Saros not named Vezina Trophy finalist 2023
