Andrei Vasilevskiy is similar to Vladislav Tretiak. Except. he isn’t. Yes, both are Russian goalies. Yes, both are arguably the best at what they do, both in the past and present. Each of them catches left-handed. But that’s about the extent of the connections between the two. Except, for the rest of this piece, I’m going to explain why they’re more similar than one might think.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is Dominating on the Ice
Now, it’s tough to provide accurate stats for Tretiak because he played in the Soviet Union during the 1980s, and freedom of information wasn’t a thing. Just watch Stranger Things if you don’t believe me. But here are some stats on both players that might blow you away.
- 2.31 Career GAA in the Soviet League
- First-Team All-Star from 1971-1984
- 13 League Titles
- 5-Time MVP
And that’s just in league play. Tretiak won three Olympic gold medals and earned another at the 1981 Canada Cup. In 19 games at the Olympics, Tretiak finished with a 1.87 GAA. So, he was pretty good in his prime.
You could also say that for Vasilevskiy. He has a 2.50 career GAA that drops to 2.24 in the playoffs. But, both of these players dominated different periods of hockey history.
Why They are Different…
Tretiak played in the ’70s and ’80s, facing skilled players like Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, and Guy Lafleur in his prime. But if you watch this video, he’s getting run over after almost every whistle. And he’s doing it while looking like me wearing my winter coat under my jersey.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is playing with the best of the best. The NHL is the most talented league in the world and all the best players play in it. Not to disrespect the Soviet League in the ’70s and ’80s, but it wasn’t nearly as good as the NHL is today. Does that make Vasy the better goalie? No, but I’ll touch on that more later on.
Both Make Timely Saves
Somehow, they always find a way to make the big save. It’s a trait among the best goalies. All these guys had that innate ability to stop the puck when needed.
It’s the same for both Tretiak and Vasilevskiy. Both of them know where to be at the right time to make the needed save. Rarely are they the reason their team gives up a goal. Some might say they’re clutch.
Tretiak posted a .914 SV% at the 1972 Olympics and a .962 SV% at the Olympics in 1984. He came through when it mattered most. Same for Vasilevskiy, whose 28.69 GSAA in the last three playoffs is the best of all goalies. In his last eight-series clinching victories, he has given up two goals on 221 shots. Insane.
Why They are Different…
First, look at the gear they’re wearing. As I mentioned, Tretiak looks like me wearing my winter coat. In other words, he hardly had any padding and made ridiculous saves. In addition, he’s got some pads that some are saying are too big.
Second, Vasilevskiy is much bigger than Tretiak (6’3, 225 pounds compared to 6’0, 200 pounds). So, he has a size advantage. Tretiak might only get a PTO, never mind a contract, with his height in today’s NHL. Yet, both have had an impressive ability to make critical saves. But, in the end, size does matter (at least to NHL GMs).
Andrei Vasilevskiy and Vladislav Tretiak are Considered Top of Their Class
It’s Andrei Vasilevskiy’s world, and we’re all living in it when it comes to NHL goaltending. He’s the cream of the crop and you can’t have a conversation about the best goalies right now without him. Vasy is the standard for top goaltending right now. Bar none.
Everyone knows that Tretiak is the best Russian goalie of all time. That part is clear. You could also make a case that he’s the best goalie of all time. Considering the accolades, recognition, and era he played in, I think you could make a strong argument for him.
Nevertheless, each player has had moments of brilliance that have led to success. It’s what separates them from other goalies. You can’t be top of the class without big moments and wins.
Why They Are Different…
Most of Tretiak’s success and recognition came while playing for the Soviet Union. The 1972 Summit Series and 1980 Olympics are good examples. While he didn’t finish first at either event, many players and fans left those tournaments stunned and impressed by the play of Tretiak.
Unfortunately for Vasilevskiy, he hasn’t had the same opportunities to play for his home country. He’s played just 19 games for Russia at the senior level, all of which have come at the World Championships. He was passed for the Russian Olympic team in 2014 (at 20 years old) and couldn’t play in 2018 because NHL players couldn’t play in the Olympics.
In short, Vasy is best known for his work in the NHL while Tretiak is universally recognized for his time with the Soviets.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the Modern Day Tretiak
Hockey has changed a lot in the last 50 years. This includes the NHL, international hockey, the KHL, and more. But in a way, history finds a way to repeat itself. And while they may have their differences in size, gear, and place of success, there are more similarities than you would otherwise expect. Sure, it might not be fair to compare anyone to arguably the greatest of all time. However, by the time it’s all said and done, it could be the name Vasilevskiy that people talk about for years to come. That’s the beauty of this great game and sport.