2022 Vezina Trophy Opening Odds – Andrei Vasilevskiy Opens as Favorite; Fleury Listed at +800 After Winning Award Last Season

• Andre Vasilevskiy finished second in the Vezina Trophy voting despite again winning the Stanley Cup
• Marc-Andre Fleury won the 2021 Vezina Trophy for best goaltender. What about him or Carey Price?
• Read below for the odds, insight, and betting pick

Marc-Andre Fleury defied the odds to win the 2021 Vezina Trophy, according to the voters. In the opening 2022 Vezina Trophy odds, Fleury is listed as the second betting favorite behind Conn Smythe winner, Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Carey Price had an elite playoff run leading the charge for the Montreal Canadiens all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. Is the former Hart Trophy winner worth a stab at +1000?

Who’s the best bet in the early race for the 2022 Vezina Trophy odds? Make sure to check out the latest sportsbook promos to ensure you are getting the best value when picking your 2022 Vezina Trophy winner.

2022 Vezina Trophy Odds

Odds as of July 14th

Andrei Vasilevskiy the Early 2022 Vezina Trophy Favorite

Tampa Bay will have some challenges as they attempt to three-peat this upcoming NHL season. For one, there is only a little bit over a three-month break. This transitions into an 82-game schedule (not 56). Also, the Lightning will be back in the Atlantic Division this season — facing every team but more of Boston, Florida, and yes Montreal too.

Vasilevskiy, during the regular season, posted an impressive 31 wins in 42 starts. He posted a 2.21 goals-against-average along with a .925 save percentage.

The Russian goaltender has finished third or better in each of the last four seasons (winning the Vezina in 2019).

The Lightning did falter a bit losing three straight games before the regular season ended. Nikita Kucherov voiced his opinion on the matter after the playoffs.

#GoBolts star @86Kucherov coined a phrase in his beer-fueled postgame news conference as he described teammate Andrei Vasilevskiy not winning the Vezina Trophy as the #NHL's top goalie:

"That's number 1 bullsh*t."https://t.co/OCrdvJ4Vvv pic.twitter.com/eQDgUun7dx

— John McQuiston (@JohnMcQuiston) July 9, 2021

The way Vasilevskiy played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was on another level. Yes, the goaltender won 16 times in 23 games during the playoffs this year and posted an amazing 1.90 goals-against-average with a .937 save percentage. That included five shutouts. However, this award was for the regular season.

Again, that run is along with last year’s playoff run are reasons why Vasilevskiy has to be considered an early favorite to win the 2022 Vezina Trophy.

What About Marc-Andre Fleury?

This may be the biggest surprise of the awards on the surface, but maybe the shock is that Marc-Andre Fleury was just incredible this season for the Vegas Golden Knights. Fleury won the Vezina Trophy behind 26 wins in 36 decisions. He put up a goals-against of 1.98 along with six shutouts and a .928 save percentage.

Fleury was their rock while Robin Lehner was injured. Fleury produced a .900 penalty-kill save percentage, which is well above the league average of .870.

The margin of nine points overall was slim but a win.

good morning

Marc-Andre Fleury won the Vezina Trophy

have a great day 🙂

— x-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 30, 2021

That says it all. What does Vegas do come this summer with Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner? Does Fleury stay in Vegas, or is he traded? That will impact his odds.

Did Someone Forget About Philipp Grubauer?

If not for COVID, Philipp Grubauer might have won the 2021 Vezina Trophy. Losing two weeks late in the season was a crucial blow.

However, the Colorado Avalanche will be ready to roll for the 2021-22 season. Grubauer won 30 times in 40 decisions en route to a 1.95 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. The German goaltender kicked in seven shutouts during the shortened season. The only question is this.

Sources say Philipp Grubauer and the Colorado Avalanche are nowhere close on the AAV of his next deal. The Vezina finalist is planning on testing free agency if the Avalanche are unable to offer a fair deal.

— Elliot Paintman (@ElliotPaintman) July 13, 2021

If Grubauer stays, he is a bigger favorite than our next candidate.

Can Carey Price Turn Playoff Run to Vezina Glory?

Carey Price played amazingly well leading up to the Stanley Cup Final and during the last two games of the series against Tampa Bay. The question is can he do it again?

https://twitter.com/Habscentral/status/1414597016093708292

A lot is working against Price. Montreal will be back in the Atlantic Division with tougher opposition like Tampa Bay, Boston, and Toronto. These are teams the goaltender does not fare quite so well against. An elite playoff run is not enough to give him value here.

Vezina Trophy Value and Best Bet

There expects to be quite a logjam with the 82-game schedule. The question of an Olympic Break looms large as well. Connor Hellebuyck could provide some value as a longer shot at +1000 in a somewhat easier Central Division.  “The Field” is an interesting pick if Spencer Knight starts for Florida at +1500.

While Andrei Vasilevskiy is far from a no-brainer for the award, he stands above the others. The favorite is our early pick for next season.

Pick: Andrei Vasilevskiy (+400)