Tonight, Linus Ullmark can be called the best goalkeeper in the NHL

Nashville. Billy Lindbergh, Henrik Lundqvist, and Lens Ullmark.

This is what the golden streak of Swedish Vezina Cup-winning goalkeepers might look like when powder smoke settled in Nashville last night.

– My goal has always been to become the best goalkeeper in the world, and if I win now, I know I have fulfilled that dream, says the 29-year-old Angermann native.

There are not many Swedes who have been honored with the Vezina Trophy – the annual award for the best goalkeeper in the NHL.

Billy Lindbergh took home the prestigious trophy in 1985 and Henrik Lundqvist 29 years later, well, the list is not longer than that.

But when the league celebrates an awards ceremony at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville the next night, the exclusive company can thus win another member.

Not only is Linus Ollmark nominated, along with Winnipeg’s Connor Helbeck and New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin — he’s the actual nominee.

superior in the regular season

No, the playoffs didn’t turn out as well as he and the heavily favored Boston Bruins had hoped – and Linus still didn’t get over the brutal blast against Florida – but during the regular season he was very exciting and had the best stats of all.

with a bang.

– You have definitely reached a higher level. Just compare the stats to my first seven years in the league. No one can tell this difference is only because I played on a better team, says the thoughtful guard when we meet him in the staggering heat of Nashville the day before the big awards ceremony.

– We had a really great team and were great all season, it’s rare that we’re good all season and don’t end up in any slump at all. Of course it helps, but I have to save the ball in order to win too. We didn’t win every game 5-1, there were many single goal victories. So it’s about saving when it really matters and I’ve been able to do that this year.

Moreover, you scored a goal, we will not forget about it!

No, it was fun too.

You could get a big prize

And now the whole story could end with the Vezina Cup – an award that Linus holds very highly.

– We’ll see if I win, but I feel a lot of pride, he continues.

– For many years my goal was to become the best goalkeeper in the world, should I win now and stand on the podium tonight, I know I have achieved that dream. As they say, records are meant to be broken but medals and trophies cannot be taken away from you.

Erik Karlsson (see article right) and Mikael Backlund are also in Nashville, the latter of whom has been nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy—a prize for a player who has demonstrated leadership qualities on and off the ice while at the same time standing up for significant humanitarian efforts.

– I am happy and proud just to be nominated, it is a great honor. I’ve never been involved in something like this before and would really enjoy it, says Mekies.