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Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

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Bruins’ Swayman Named Vezina Finalist

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Brandon Share-Cohen | Last updated Apr 29, 2026 2:20 PM ET

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Boston Bruins’ goalie Jeremy Swayman has been named a finalist for the 2026 Vezina Trophy alongside New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin and Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. This is the first time in Swayman’s career that he’s been named a finalist and, should he win, he’d be the first goalie to do so since his former teammate Linus Ullmark won the award for his impressive 2022-23 season.

All three candidates had good seasons, with Sorokin posting a 29-24-2 record with a 2.68 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. The Islanders’ goaltender also led the NHL in high-danger saves with 452 and high-danger save percentage (.864), as well as an NHL-leading seven shutouts. He allowed two or fewer goals 21 times in 55 games. He also had the third-best goals saved above expected (GSAx) number in the NHL with 25.3.

Vasilevskiy, a former Vezina Trophy winner and six-time finalist, led the NHL in wins for the sixth time in his career. He went 39-15-4 in 58 games and his 2.12 goals-against average and .912 save percentage were second and fourth in the NHL, respectively, this season among goalies with at least 20 games. The 31-year-old allowed two or fewer goals in 35 of his 58 games this season and had a 17-0-1 stretch from Dec. 20 to Feb. 25 in which he recorded a 1.90 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. His GSAx was 24.7, good for fourth in the NHL.

To say the competition is steep would be an understatement.

Swayman compiled a 31-18-4 record in 55 games this season with a 2.71 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. His 31 wins actually represented a new career-high for the 6-foot-3 goalie as well. He tied for fourth in the NHL with 19 home wins, and had an NHL-leading 38 games with a .900 save percentage or higher. He also finished the season tied for second with a .923 even-strength save percentage among goalies with at least 10 games played. His 28.8 GSAx was second in the NHL behind only Washington Capitals’ goalie Logan Thompson.

Swayman’s raw numbers may not jump off the page the way other Vezina winners have in the past, but it’s important to note that goaltending numbers are down across the NHL this season. It’s also worth mentioning that Swayman’s GSAx may be his best argument for winning the award this season.

It’s easy to look at raw totals when evaluating play, but context matters in these discussions. GSAx is designed to account for the number of goals a goalie prevented compared to what an average goalie would allow in the same situations, accounting for shot quality.

Swayman Bounce-Back Season for the Bruins

Though the Bruins did make the playoffs this season with a surprising 100-point season just one year after selling off their core, they didn’t instantly solve all of their problems. After a down season a year ago, his first on a new eight-year, $66 million contract, Swayman allowed 176 goals in 58 games, giving him a career-worst 3.11 goals-against average and .892 save percentage. He bounced back in a huge way this season by allowing just 146 goals in 55 games. Swayman was a big reason for the Bruins’ success and successfully masked arguably their biggest problem this season in their defense.

Poor defensive play in front of him was an issue all season long and despite this, Swayman’s resilience never seemed to waver.

Whether Swayman wins the award or not, it’s good to see that he’s gotten recognition for what was evidently an outstanding season. The Vezina Trophy is voted on by the 32 NHL general managers, so it’s clear that his value to the Bruins is known all around the league.

In the history of the Bruins, six different Bruins have won the Vezina Trophy. Swayman could make it seven this season, but right now his priority is undoubtedly going to be on mounting a comeback against the Buffalo Sabres in the opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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