Where does Joey Daccord rank among NHL Vezina Trophy Power Rankings?

In the hockey world, few accolades carry more prestige than the Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League’s top goaltender. At first glance, it might seem like a foregone conclusion this season—Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets has set himself apart with a remarkable campaign, and most pundits expect him to take home the hardware yet again. However, just beneath the surface of the main Vezina conversation lies a notable oversight: Joey Daccord. While he isn’t a favorite to win, his impressive numbers for the Seattle Kraken deserve far more recognition than they currently receive. This article explores how Daccord compares to other goaltenders likely to receive votes and why playing on a struggling team hinders his visibility in the race.

The heavy favorite: Connor Hellebuyck

To understand why someone like Joey Daccord might be overlooked, we need to first acknowledge the dominant performance of the man everyone expects to stand on stage at season’s end: Connor Hellebuyck. The Winnipeg Jets goalie has already won the Vezina twice, and he appears on track for a third. His league-leading statistics (34-7-2 record, 2.07 goals-against average (GAA), .925 save percentage (SV%), and six shutouts) are the stuff of legends. Hellebuyck’s level of play has him not only topping the mainstream stats but also leading many advanced statistical categories, including an astounding 27.8 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx).

Simply put, Hellebuyck’s consistency and track record, combined with the Jets’ success, make him the obvious pick. There’s no argument here that Daccord should surpass Hellebuyck—rather, the point is that Daccord deserves to at least share in the broader conversation.

The contenders behind Hellebuyck

When we move past Hellebuyck, a group of goalies vying for the second and third spots in Vezina voting emerges. These include the Washington Capitals’ Logan Thompson, the Colorado Avalanche’s Mackenzie Blackwood, the Minnesota Wild’s Filip Gustavsson, and the New Jersey Devils’ Jacob Markstrom. Their numbers paint a picture of excellent netminding on winning teams:

Despite each of these goaltenders offering a compelling case, the real intrigue lies in how Joey Daccord’s numbers stand toe-to-toe with theirs—even though his team, the Seattle Kraken, languishes near the bottom of the standings.

Joey Daccord’s underrated performance

Daccord’s core statistics show a player who has far exceeded what most expect from a goaltender on a struggling team:

In raw numbers, Daccord’s 2.49 GAA and .916 SV% compare favorably to Gustavsson’s 2.63 GAA, .915 SV%, and 14.6 GSAx. His record, at 19-14-3, underscores the difficulty of backstopping a team that, as of now, ranks in the bottom five league-wide. The fact that Daccord’s stats continue to impress despite the defensive shortcomings in front of him highlights how much he has stepped up. Indeed, the biggest knock against him is that he plays for a non-contender—often, that alone can bury an otherwise deserving candidate.

Impact of team context

A critical piece of the Vezina conversation revolves around team performance. Voters typically favor goalies from winning teams, which naturally elevates netminders like Thompson, Gustavsson, Blackwood, and Markstrom—all goaltenders currently benefiting from better rosters and better defensive support. Daccord, in contrast, has faced a heavier workload, battling consistently against strong opposition attacks on a nightly basis.

One vivid example of how team context can shape a goalie’s narrative is Mackenzie Blackwood. Earlier in the year, Blackwood played for the San Jose Sharks—a team that struggled mightily. His numbers there were far less impressive: a 6-9-3 record with a 3.00 GAA and .909 SV%. After his midseason trade to Colorado, Blackwood’s numbers improved dramatically to a 14-6-2 record, 2.13 GAA, and .922 SV%. Essentially, joining a stronger team lifted his overall season stats to Vezina-consideration levels. This scenario begs the question: if Daccord were playing behind a similarly strong roster, would his performance surge to an even higher tier?

Focusing on Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx)

For analysts who prefer deeper statistical dives, Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) serves as one of the most illuminating metrics. GSAx measures the difference between the actual goals a goaltender surrenders and the number of goals they would be expected to allow based on shot quality and quantity. The higher the GSAx, the better the goalie has performed relative to league-average expectations.

Seeing Daccord near the top of this list is extremely telling. His 20.4 GSAx is third overall, creating a notable gap between him and the other names in the race. It underscores his ability to consistently outperform expectations—an even more remarkable feat given Seattle’s bottom-five standing.

Why Daccord likely goes unnoticed

Despite these impressive advanced metrics, the reality is that the narrative around the Vezina Trophy often hinges on one question: Is the goalie leading a successful team? While fans within Seattle have witnessed the nightly heroics of Joey Daccord, the broader hockey community doesn’t typically pay as much attention to a lower-tier team. This lack of spotlight contributes to an absence of sustained buzz, which in turn influences year-end voting. Goalies on playoff-bound rosters generally claim the lion’s share of credit.

Moreover, many voters—whether media members or league officials—consciously or unconsciously weigh wins and losses. Even though Daccord’s personal record is solid (19-14-3) on a team that consistently struggles to put up goal support, it’s hardly comparable to Logan Thompson’s 24-2-5. If the Kraken were contending, Daccord’s Save Percentage and GAA might look even better, potentially pushing him into serious Vezina contention.

The bottom line

Joey Daccord may not be the next Vezina Trophy winner, but his 2.49 GAA, .916 SV%, and especially his 20.4 GSAx make it clear he belongs in the broader conversation. Unfortunately, playing for a team near the bottom of the standings has historically overshadowed strong goaltending performances. Until the Kraken can push themselves into the playoff picture—or until enough voices rally behind his advanced metric achievements—Daccord will likely remain an afterthought on most Vezina ballots.

Yet, for those who look beyond simple win-loss records and place greater emphasis on performance under challenging conditions, Joey Daccord offers a fascinating case study. He proves that goaltending excellence isn’t solely the domain of Cup contenders. Given the right context and attention, there’s little doubt Daccord would garner the recognition he deserves. Fans in Seattle already know what kind of talent he has; the rest of the league is slowly coming around to it. If the Kraken can bolster their roster and tighten up defensively, perhaps we’ll see Daccord’s name rightfully elevated in award discussions in the seasons to come. Until then, it’s well worth shining a light on one of the game’s most overlooked netminders.