Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Karel Vejmelka, Utah Hockey Club's goalie, excels with top-10 NHL metrics.
- Vejmelka, an unrestricted free agent, desires a contract extension with Utah.
- Fans and teammates praise Vejmelka's performance, boosting his confidence and commitment.
SALT LAKE CITY — The chants are now a regular thing inside the Delta Center.
"Veggie! Veggie! Veggie!"
They come whenever Utah Hockey Club goalie Karel Vejmelka makes a high glove save … or stops a breakaway chance … or slides across the crease to get his pad in front of a puck at the far post.
In several metrics, Vejmelka has been a top-10 NHL goalie this season. He's 10th in wins above replacement, ninth in goals saved above expected and eighth in goals allowed per game. He's also been in net for 17 of Utah's 27 wins, including the team's last four victories as it has made a push up the standings.
So, yeah, he's given fans plenty to cheer (and chant) for this season.
He is also an unrestricted free agent, but the team appears to want to change that. According to a report from the Daily Faceoff on Monday, Utah is progressing toward an extension for Vejmelka.
And that's something the netminder wants to see happen.
"I don't have really any reasons to change anything," he said Tuesday. "So, yeah, first thing on my mind to be part of the team, especially with these kinds of players, this kind of team — we are like a big family. So it's fun to be part of it, and I would like to be part of it for a couple of more years."
Especially with how he has felt embraced by the fan base. Yes, he hears those "Veggie!" chants; and, no, they don't get old.
"The fans and crowd — it's incredible every night,' he said. "So it's fun to play in front of them. It's a great experience for me every night, and just drives me to get better and just play the best hockey I can."
Trade season often leads to extension talk — for example, Utah inked defenseman Olli Määttä to a three-year deal on Monday — but that's something Vejmelka is trying not to worry too much about.
He said it's easier to not stress about what could come next week or next month, or this summer, and focus on the next game. But he admitted getting a deal done is important to him.
"I'm just trying to focus on my game, and don't really think about it," he said. "Obviously, it's a really important thing to me but my agent is working on it, so I just try to focus on the rest of the season, and we'll see what's going to happen."
Over the last couple of weeks, Vejmelka has cemented himself as the team's No. 1 goalie.
Even after Vejmelka's strong start to the year — including a 49-save performance in a win over Carolina — the team deployed a goaltender rotation when Connor Ingram returned to the team after two months away due to personal reasons. But head coach André Tourigny has gone with Vejmelka for the last four contests, three of which were wins (and Vejmelka kept Utah in the game in the lone loss).
Vejmelka said getting more regular time has helped him be more and more confident in the crease.
"Playing more consistent is more comfortable for me and for my body," he said. "I'm more ready for every shift, every night. So, yeah, it's kind of a situation where I'm feeling more comfortable."
Utah is clearly comfortable with him back there, too.
"He's been unreal all season long," defenseman Mikhail Sergachev said. "He's been a rock back there for us and an unbelievable goalie. Obviously gives us confidence to play when you have a great goalie back there. He makes timeless saves for us."
He's hoping he can keep making those for Utah for years to come.
