Tim Thomas named finalist for Vezina

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Apr 27, 2009 1:33 PM EDT

Today, the NHL announced the three finalists for this year's Vezina Trophy given to the league's most outstanding goaltender. The finalists for the award are Tim Thomas, Steve Mason, and Niklas Backstrom. The Vezina is voted on by the general managers of the league's 30 teams.

Tim Thomas

#30 / Goalie / Boston Bruins

Height: 5-11

Weight: 201

Born: Apr 15, 1974

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Tim Thomas	54	3259	36	11	7	4	114	2.10	1694	1580	.933	5

The Case for Thomas:
Tim Thomas has a great chance to win the Vezina this year. He has the lowest GAA and highest save percentage of any of the candidates and has only one less win than Backstrom despite playing in 17 less games. Thomas was a major part of the Bruins' unexpected success this year.

The Case against Thomas:
Some will argue that a Vezina winner should play more than 54 games and that Thomas benefited from having a better team in front of him than the other nominees.

Steve Mason

#1 / Goalie / Columbus Blue Jackets

Height: 6-4

Weight: 212

Born: May 29, 1988

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Steve Mason	61	3664	33	20	7	7	140	2.29	1658	1518	.916	10

The Case for Mason:
No one expected Steve Mason to have a year like this. The Blue Jackets rookie was slated to be the backup but was forced into action after Pascal Leclaire was put on the shelf for most of the season with a reoccurring ankle injury. Mason led the league with 10 shutouts and helped the Blue Jackets reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.Steve Mason probably impacted the success of his team this year more than the other two nominees.

The Case against Mason:
No rookie has won the Vezina since Ed Belfour won the award in 1991. His save percentage doesn't stack up to Thomas and Backstrom. Mason is the front runner for the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) so he will likely get proper recognition for this stellar first season in the NHL.

Niklas Backstrom

#32 / Goalie / Minnesota Wild

Height: 6-1

Weight: 196

Born: Feb 13, 1978

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Niklas Backstrom	71	4088	37	24	8	3	159	2.33	2059	1900	.923	8

The Case for Backstrom:
Niklas Backstrom played in 71 games and was still able to put up the fourth best save percentage and GAA in the NHL.

The Case against Backstrom:
While Backstrom was rock solid in goal for the Wild, Minnesota failed to make the playoffs. Backstrom's numbers were great but I don't think they they will be enough to win the Vezina.

My Pick: Tim Thomas

I never thought that I would ever write the words "Tim Thomas deserves to win the Vezina Trophy", but Tim Thomas deserves to win the Vezina Trophy this year. He has had a remarkable season and has earned this honor. I hope that the league's GMs will overlook the number of games played and focus on what he has accomplished in those 54 games.

Poll

Who do you think should win the Vezina Trophy?

Tim Thomas

141 votes

Steve Mason

6 votes

Niklas Backstrom

6 votes

153 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

nice write-up

Even as a homer, Thomas’ GP does stare me in the face and give me some pause. But I’d still love to see him get the Vezina, obviously, and am glad he and Manny will have this season recognized with the Jennings as well (which is really a team award, in my opinion). Mason is awesome and deserves the Calder, and truth be told I wouldn’t feel it wrong for him to walk away with the Vezina too, even as I root for Tank.

Kind of unreal to not see Brodeur’s name in the finalists. I’d gotten used to it being “Marty and the other two.”

by jctsai12 on Apr 27, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions