NHL Power Rankings: Vezina Trophy Rankings (March Update)

March 5, 2026

Andy's NHL power rankings for the top-10 Vezina Trophy candidates for the 2025-26 season. His top Norris Trophy candidates of March 2026 include Brandon Bussi, John Gibson, Ilya Sorokin, more.

With the calendar turning to March, it's time to update our Vezina Trophy power rankings. While the top of the field has begun to separate itself, several sleepers could make a strong push over the final month.

Be sure to check out our most recent Hart Memorial Trophy rankings and James Norris Trophy rankings.

Let's dive into the current top-10 favorites to win the 2025-26 Vezina Trophy. All statistics and records mentioned are updated as of  Tuesday, March 3.

No. 10 - Jet Greaves, Columbus Blue Jackets

While Dallas' Jake Oettinger has made a strong case to enter the top 10 following his recent eight-game winning streak, his underlying metrics are not as strong as those of the other 10 candidates.

Sitting at the bottom of our list is Jet Greaves of the Blue Jackets. While Greaves struggled in his first start after the Olympic break, allowing four goals on just 26 shots, he has played a major role in Columbus's surge in the Eastern Conference.

Since January 11, Greaves has posted an impressive 2.34 GAA with a .914% SV%. During this eight-game stretch, the 24-year-old has posted two shutouts and has only surrendered more than four goals in one outing.

However, Greaves earns a spot on this list due to his incredible underlying metrics. Per MoneyPuck.com, the 24-year-old sits sixth among all goalies (among those who played in 25 games) in Goals Saved Above Expected and sixth in WAR (wins above replacement).

If the Blue Jackets sneak into the postseason, Greaves should make a strong push for the top five.

No. 9 - Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers

The Rangers' workhorse netminder returned to action following the Olympic break and has had mixed results. Over his first two outings (against the Flyers and Penguins), Shesterkin posted a solid .912% SV% with a 2.37 GAA. However, in his third outing against the Blue Jackets on Monday night, Shesterkin stumbled, allowing five goals on 28 shots.

Even though he plays on one of the worst teams in the sport, the Russian netminder has played at a high level and been among the game's top goalies. From December 2 through January 5 (before his injury), Shesterkin posted a strong 2.41 GAA with a .916% SV%.

Even though he enters March with a modest 18-12-6 record, his underlying metrics earned him a ticket on this list. Shesterkin sits fifth at the position in Goals Saved Above Expected (14.3) on MoneyPuck.com and sits 12th in High Danger Unblocked Shot Attempt Save% Above Expected.

what a save from Shesterkin pic.twitter.com/9IZFnrYjea

— Shayna (@shaynagoldman_) December 11, 2025

No. 8 - Mackenzie Blackwood, Colorado Avalanche

While Blackwood shared the Colorado crease with Scott Wedgewood earlier in the season, the former has taken full charge of the role. Blackwood has started in each of the past three games (entering Tuesday) and has looked quite sharp in this stint, stopping 64 of the 70 shots he has seen with a 2.03 GAA and a strong .914% SV%.

In fact, since allowing 11 goals over his two starts on January 16 and January 23, Blackwood has been dominant, posting an impressive .935% SV% and a 1.65 GAA.

Overall, the 29-year-old has posted a 2.22 GAA and .916% SV% with an elite 18-6-1 record. His three shutouts currently tie him for the fifth most in the sport. Blackwood enters March boasting the seventh-highest Goals Saved Above Expected, per MoneyPuck.com, despite missing the first month of the season and nearly all of January on injured reserve.

No. 7 - Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild

Filip Gustavsson had a lower target for the regular season but has flipped the script since mid-November. Over his first 13 games of the season, Gustavsson was quickly looking like the No. 2 option in Minnesota as breakout Jesper Wallstedt was running away with the starting job, as Gustavsson held a rough .896% SV% with a 3.09 GAA.

However, since November 16, Gustavsson has posted a much-improved .917% SV% with a 2.32 GAA. During this 25-game stint, the Swedish netminder has posted a strong 17-4-3 record and has recorded two shutouts.

While his early season struggles have inflated his overall statistics, Gustavsson has generated an elite 0.957% SV% on unblocked shots (per MoneyPuck.com), placing him 10th at the position. If he continues this strong play down the stretch and leads Minnesota to a top seed in the Central Division, he will make a strong case to enter the top five.

No. 6 - Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

Jeremy Swayman has enjoyed a massive bounce-back season and has played a key role in Boston's resurgent season. After posting a rough 3.11 GAA with a .892% SV% over 58 games last season, Swayman has completely flipped the script, posting a 2.89 GAA with a .902% SV%.

Even though Boston has been one of the most dominant teams since the start of the new year, Swayman has seen his production dip, as he has posted a .895% SV% with a modest 3.16 GAA.

However, looking under the hood, the 27-year-old should be in a great position to return to form and lead Boston to a playoff spot. According to MoneyPuck.com, the former fourth-round selection sits fourth among all netminders (who have played at least 25 games) in Goals Saved Above Expected (16.9).

Expect Swayman to enjoy a strong turnaround down the stretch.

Jeremy Swayman makes a great glove save. He robs Morgan Frost.

🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames pic.twitter.com/LDu7c6PqR0

— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) December 30, 2025

No. 5 - Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals

Logan Thompson is on pace to take on a career-high workload and has not disappointed. After appearing in just 43 games last season, Thompson has already reached the 41-game mark through the opening week of March and has been the backbone of the Capitals all season.

Through these 41 games, Thompson has posted a 2.40 GAA with a .913% SV%. He has posted two shutouts (matching a career-high) and has held an overall 21-16-4 record.

Following a somewhat disappointing stretch in January where he won just three of his 10 outings while holding a lower .902% SV%, he has looked far more productive in February. Over his last three outings (all in February), Thompson has been much sharper, posting an elite .937% SV%.

According to MoneyPuck.com, Thompson stands second with an impressive 22.2 Goals Saved Above Expected and second in WAR (3.70).

No. 4 - Brandon Bussi, Carolina Hurricanes

The most surprising name takes the next spot on our list. Brandon Bussi was not expected to even be on the team's roster at the start of the season, but following a season-ending injury to Pyotr Kochetkov (hip), Bussi has not only carved out a role but has emerged as a legit Vezina candidate.

The 27-year-old rookie has posted a dominant 24-3-1 record across his first 28 NHL contests with a .904% SV% and a 2.23 GAA.

Bussi is currently riding an impressive eight-game winning streak, during which he has posted a 2.00 GAA and a .911% SV%. During this stretch (from January 16), Bussi's .911% SV% is the second highest in the sport, trailing only Pittsburgh's Artūrs Šilovs.

No. 3 - John Gibson, Detroit Red Wings

Over his first 13 games in Detroit, John Gibson looked nowhere near a potential Vezina candidate as he posted a .865% SV% with a 3.59 GAA. He won just four of these starts and dropped seven in regulation.

However, over his next 25 games, Gibson would massively flip the script, posting a 19-5-1 record (over his next 25 games) with a .925% SV% and a 2.06 GAA. During this stretch (December 2 - March 3), Gibson led the sport in GAA and matched the No. 1 netminder on our list in SV% and shutouts (four).

While his early season metrics slightly underwhelm in his overall profile, Gibson has been a near-MVP candidate since the start of December.

John Gibson made an incredible save and then had to fix his equipment mid-play 😅 pic.twitter.com/bHQIPZ72a6

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 27, 2026

No. 2 - Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning

Sitting in the No. 2 spot on our list will be Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vasilevskiy had a slower start to the season, holding a modest .885% SV% over his first five games, but has been elite ever since. From October 26 through February 28, Vasilevskiy has won 28 of his 39 outings, posting a .921% SV% and a 2.04 GAA.

Before his outing on February 28, when he fell to the Buffalo Sabres, Vasilevskiy was on a nine-game winning streak, posting an incredible 1.63 GAA.

According to MoneyPuck.com, Vasilevskiy sits third in Goals Saved Above Expected (19.0), trailing only Thompson and the No. 1 goaltender on our list. Additionally, he sits third in WAR at the position and is tied for first at the position with Blackwood in overall GAA (2.22).

No. 1 - Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders

Holding the top spot as he did last month is Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin enters the start of March with elite metrics across the board and has almost single-handedly carried the Islanders into a playoff position.

According to MoneyPuck.com, Sorokin has generated an incredible 27.8 Goals Saved Above Expected, which is 5.6 more than the No. 2 netminder (Thompson). The 30-year-old also sits at the top position in GAA Better than Expected (0.75) and in WAR (4.63) by a wide margin.

Sorokin has also posted the highest High Danger Unblocked Shot Attempt Save% (.872% SV%) at the position, showcasing his ability to make those game-changing saves. On face value, he carries a .915% SV% with a league-high six shutouts, two more than Gibson's mark.

On the Outside Looking In

• Jake Oettinger, DAL
• Dan Vladar, PHI
• Scott Wedgewood, COL
• Spencer Knight, CHI

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