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…