Marc-Andre Fleury wins Vezina Trophy as league’s best goalie

By Justin Emerson

Published Tuesday, June 29, 2021 | 4:54 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, June 29, 2021 | 7 p.m.

Marc-Andre Fleury checked the final box of his Hall of Fame resume Tuesday by winning the award that has long eluded him.

Fleury, 36, was named the winner of the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender during the NHL’s award show. The Golden Knights’ backstop had never won the award before or even been a finalist, so the victory fills the final void of an otherwise sterling career as one of the best goalies of his generation.

"When you look at the list of the guys that have won this trophy, a lot of them I love watching, I idolized watching, it's such an honor to be among them," Fleury said. "Our team had such a commitment to play the right way and play well defensively, blocking shots and making me look better. I honestly think if I'm going to win this, you still need a good team in front of you to help you out."

Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy finished second and Colorado’s Philipp Grubauer finished third. The award is voted on by the league’s general managers.

Fleury, in partnership with Robin Lehner, had already won the Jennings Trophy this regular season for allowing the fewest goals in the league. It was also Fleury’s first — though Lehner’s second — Jennings Trophy.

Fleury turned in arguably the strongest season of his storied career in 2021, setting career-bests in save percentage (.928) and goals-against average (1.98) as well as goals saved above expected (19.2), according to the model of advanced stats site Evolving Hockey.

The goals saved above expected stat led the NHL. His save percentage and goals-against average, as well as his wins (26) and shutouts (6), were third in the league.

Fleury was strong in the postseason, starting 16 of the Golden Knights’ 19 games, winning nine of them with a .918 save percentage and 2.04 goals-against average.

Vegas’ plan entering the year was to split time between Fleury and Lehner until the latter missed a month with a concussion and forced the Golden Knights to lean on their veteran goalie. Fleury started 17 of Vegas’ 18 games from Feb. 9 to March 17 and pitched three shutouts with a .931 save percentage in that stretch.

"Doesn't matter if it's this year or another year, but I feel like this year's been tougher for most people around the world and I just feel fortunate that we were able to still play hockey and still do what we love," Fleury said. "Obviously it's nice to be recognized with this trophy."

Fleury won three Stanley Cup championships while with the Penguins and came to the Golden Knights as part of the 2017 expansion draft. He is third on the NHL’s all-time list in wins by a goaltender (492) and fourth in postseason wins (90).

He has one year remaining on the three-year contract extension he signed in 2018. He will make $7 million against the salary cap next season and is eligible for free agency next summer.