Connect with us

Published

on

The NHL named Sergei Bobrovsky, Thatcher Demko and Connor Hellebuyck finalists for the Vezina Trophy.

The Vezina Trophy, which goes to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position, was voted on by the NHL’s general managers with Bobrovsky, Demko and Hellebuyck finishing in the top three in votes for this season.

A two-time Vezina winner, Bobrovsky was one of the most crucial components of the Florida Panthers‘ success. After reaching the Stanley Cup Final last year as the No. 8 seed, the Panthers came into this season with expectations, while also managing a roster with players who required offseason surgeries.

It made Bobrovsky, who won the award in 2013 and 2017, even more vital. He finished the season 36-17-4 with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage to help the club win its second Atlantic Division title in three seasons while setting the second-highest points total in franchise history. Bobrovsky was third in wins, third in GAA and seventh in save percentage.

Hellebuyck, who won the award in 2020, played a significant role in the Winnipeg Jets becoming one of the NHL’s best regular-season teams. The Jets finished the season with 52 wins while their 110 points kept them in contention for the Presidents Trophy. Hellebuyck finished with a 37-19-4 record, a 2.39 GAA and a .921 save percentage. Those figures were good enough for him to finish second in wins, second in save percentage and fourth in GAA.

Demko, who would be seeking his first Vezina, had the best season of his career despite missing several games with a knee injury. Still, Demko helped the Vancouver Canucks go from being a team that missed the playoffs last season to one that won the Pacific Division while finishing with 109 points. He finished the season 35-14-2 with a 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage. Demko was sixth in wins, fifth in GAA and third in save percentage.

Continue Reading

Sports

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers (May 11, 2025) Live Score – ESPN

Published

on

By

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers (May 11, 2025) Live Score - ESPN

— Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists, including on the tiebreaking goal by Alexander Petrovic that was finally confirmed after a lengthy review as the Dallas Stars beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Sunday to take 2-1 lead in the second-round…

Continue Reading

Sports

Day after 21-0 loss, Rockies fire manager Black

Published

on

By

Day after 21-0 loss, Rockies fire manager Black

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies fired manager Bud Black on Sunday, one day after losing by 21 runs to the San Diego Padres at Coors Field.

The Rockies are off to a major-league-worst 7-33 start even after defeating the Padres 9-3 on Sunday to salvage one game in the home series and snap an eight-game skid. Third-base coach Warren Schaeffer will serve as interim manager for the rest of the season, and hitting coach Clint Hurdle will be the interim bench coach.

The Rockies, who also fired bench coach Mike Redmond, will open a road trip Monday night against the Texas Rangers and try to turn a corner. Even with Sunday’s victory, Colorado has the worst 40-game start since the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, who were 6-34.

“Our play so far this season, especially coming off the last two seasons, has been unacceptable. Our fans deserve better, and we are capable of better,” Rockies owner, chairman and CEO Dick Monfort said in a statement. “While we all share responsibility in how this season has played out, these changes are necessary. We will use the remainder of 2025 to improve where we can on the field and to evaluate all areas of our operation so we can properly turn the page into the next chapter of Rockies Baseball.”

Black was in his ninth year as Rockies manager and had a career record with Colorado of 544-690. He is the winningest manager in franchise history.

Before Saturday night’s 21-0 drubbing, Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt backed Black, telling The Denver Post that he believed the season still could be turned around.

“I think our guys are still playing hard, and that’s what I look at,” Schmidt told the Post. “Guys are working hard every day; they come with energy, for the most part. I don’t think we are [at that point of firing Black]. Guys still believe in what we are doing and where we are headed. We are all frustrated.”

Schmidt said he was looking for “growth” as the season goes along.

“I feel for the fans; I feel for the people around here,” he said. “I know we are better than we have played, but we are not good right now. We have to battle through it and get to the other side. There are still a lot of games left. I think we can turn it around, but it’s going to take a whole group to do it. The guys are working to get better.”

Colorado was 19½ games out of first place in the NL West before Sunday’s win. The Rockies have been outscored by 128 runs this season. The only team since 1900 with a worse run differential through 40 games was the 2023 Oakland Athletics (-144).

The seventh manager in team history, Black initially found success with Colorado when he led the Rockies to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018. They haven’t finished with a winning record since and are coming off two straight 100-loss seasons. Colorado has a .353 winning percentage since 2023.

Black’s contract was set to expire after the season. He signed a one-year extension in October.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Continue Reading

Sports

Follow live: Jets, Stars battle in Game 3 as series shifts to Dallas

Published

on

By

null

Continue Reading

Trending