The Vezina Trophy is one of the most illustrious awards in sports. It is given every season to the National Hockey League goaltender who shows the most proficiency in his position, and clearly makes a difference on his team, game after game.
The nominees for the 2007-2008 NHL season demonstrated all the qualities needed. Now, this isn't an award ceremony, so I'll stop talking like that.
Onto the first goalie!
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks
Okay, first off, I have nothing against Nabokov as a player. His stats speak for themselves, and he has always come up big in clutch situations.
However, I do not think that he is deserving of the Vezina this year. One could say that his aggressive play on the puck is the reason why he's such a great goaltender. I am not one of those people.
I think that he takes very unnecessary risks by skating out of the crease and diving to save the puck. Supposing that he actually surprises the player who has the puck and is able to save it, he's more than deserving of the award.
However, I think that this is his downfall. If the puck handler is able to make a play before he gets back in position, more than a few goals will be scored.
When he plays in his position, he is very proficient, but a risk-taker usually doesn't get the Vezina.
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Ah, Martin Brodeur, arguably the best goalie in the history of the NHL, winner of several Vezinas in the past few years. I'm afraid not this year, however.
While Brodeur had some incredible performances this season, he is not the most deserving candidate. He is a lot like Nabokov in that he flies out of the crease, leaving the entire net open to shots.
He makes some unbelievable saves, to be sure, but that is still risky play that doesn't belong in the NHL, unless it is the goalie's last option.
Plus, let's not forget all the diving he did in the recent playoff series against the Rangers.
Granted, the hit by the Rangers' Ryan Callahan was viable. The hit by Fredrik Sjorstrom was clearly caused by the defender, who pushed him into Brodeur. Jaromir Jagr hit Brodeur with his thigh, but he didn't move—at all—and then fell back dramatically.
It gets a little old, Marty.
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Finally, we get to the goalie I believe to be most deserving. Lundqvist is now a Vezina finalist for the third year in a row. The 26-year-old "King" of New York has had one heck of a season for the Big Apple.
Game after game, he puts up great stats against the Eastern Conference stars. His pads were everywhere, his glove was sharp, and his vision was never better.
Of the 20 combined shutouts compiled by the three finalists, Lundqvist had 10. He has strict positioning and great quickness to traverse the crease.
Henrik is the most deserving of this year's candidates.
Honorable Mentions
•Martin Biron, Philadelphia Flyers
•Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
•Manny Legace, St. Louis Blues
•Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
•Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames
ªDominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
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5 months ago
I'll be unbiased, Nabokov deserves it, but I hope Lundqvist gets it...
5 months ago
I give Nabokov the edge. I disagree with your assessment about him taking on risk. Perhaps we perceive it that way -- but maybe thats why he's so good. What we consider risky -- he considers a certainty and sure as heck knows what he's doing.
On a side note, Luongo was in tailspin in the last 3 weeks going into the playoffs -- I can't seriously consider him a Vezina contender -- much less a honorable mention.
5 months ago
I would actually say Marty Turco
5 months ago
Your entire piece on Nabokov is insane. You mention that he doesn't deserve the award because he takes unnecessary risks and the only reason he makes saves is because it's not what an opposing shooter expects? That would work for about a week and then he'd be out of the league.
Instead he sets a new league record for wins in a season. His success is not a byproduct of luck but rather one of great postional play, hard work, and solid team defense in San Jose. (No team collapses better in front of their own net)
Furthermore, you say that "if the puck handler is able to make a play before he gets back in position, more than a few goals will be scored." This is completely irrelevant. It didn't happen and therefore, should not be involved in the equation.
That's like argueing that despite the fact that Alex Ovechkin scored more goals that anyone else, we're going to give the Rocket Richard trophy to Mike Knuble because if he'd taken more shots, he probably would have scored more goals eventually.
And to your final point that a risk taker rarely wins the Vezina trophy, may I point you to one of your honorable mentions? Does Dominik Hasek ring any bells? Is his style of play not unorthodox and high risk?
It's fine if your a big Lundquist fan, but to completely discredit Nabokov's season based on ill conceived and poorly thought out arguments is ridiculous.
That's just Nabokov. I'm not even going to touch the fact that you said Marty Brodeur's postioning is weak. That's just ludicrous. And if you want to give out a Vezina for positioning, give it to Carey Price.
from 5 months ago
While you state a valid opinion. I stand by my point that he takes un-necessary risks. I would say that about any goal-tender that does that before it is their last option.
Don't get me wrong, he is a fantastic goalie. But don't call my argument ill conceived because I say something that might be slightly controversial, that's just good journalism. But if you work hard at anything, you'll eventually become good at it, Right? His work ethic is great and think he's a lot of fun to watch. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he won it, but it's my opinion that Lundqvist should get it.
On a side note, Thanks for commenting.
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