Juuse Saros Finishes Fourth in Vezina Voting
The Nashville Predator goaltender finished behind Connor Hellebuyck, Ilya Sorokin, and Vezina winner Linus Ullmark.
Juuse Saros Finishes Fourth in Vezina VotingThe Nashville Predators may not have made the postseason, but the goaltending performance of Juuse Saros in the regular season was outstanding. General Managers across the league took notice. The NHL released the final voting results after Boston's Linus Ullmark won the award, and Juuse Saros finished fourth for the Vezina Trophy. Nashville's net minder earned two first place votes, two second place votes, and eight third place votes.
Ullmark won with 127 total points and 22 first place votes. Sorokin was second, netting three first place votes and 17 second place ballots. Hellebuyck was third with 32 total points.
Typical goalie metrics didn't capture the season Saros had in net for a Predators team that lost several key veterans to trade and injury down the stretch. Saros led the league in advanced metrics like goals saved above expected (46.7) and wins above replacement (7.78). He also had one of the heaviest workloads in the league tying Hellebuyck with 64 games played and leading the league in ice time.
His play kept Nashville in contention for a playoff spot right up through the last week of the season despite a roster with several players with more AHL experience than NHL minutes. The usually quiet goaltender also become a voice of leadership in the locker room for those younger players.
While Saros did not crack the top three this season, his value to his team is unquestionable. Both David Poile and Barry Trotz have referred to Saros as a part of Nashville's core going forward. The team has moved several veterans this season and may not be finished with roster changes yet, but it appears Saros will be the goaltender to try and boost a younger roster back into postseason contention.