Brodeur, Dryden and Hasek all give credit to Vasilevsky as “one of the all-time greats”

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevsky is making history right in front of our very eyes.

Sure, there have been other supremely talented goaltenders before him. There have also been extremely "clutch" goaltenders before him. Every once in a while you get a goaltender who is both supremely talented, supremely confident and who has that "clutch" gene to him. Martin Brodeur had it. Ken Dryden had it. Patrick Roy had it. Dominik Hasek had it. And Vasilevsky sure as Hell has it... and if you don't believe me just listen to Brodeur, Dryden and Hasek themselves.

This trio of Hall of Fame goaltenders offered up their opinions on Vasilevsky in a column for The Athletic and it's clear that all three men have an enormous amount of respect for the Lightning goaltender.

“He makes the game look easy,” Brodeur said.

“He’s imposing,” Dryden said.

“He never gives up,” Hasek said.

“They’re starting to get the chisel and stuff, they’re starting to make that mountain right now. He’s a Mount Rushmore guy, and he’s making it happen.”

“He’s got Brodeur’s calmness and big-game performance,” TNT broadcaster and former NHLer Tocchet on last night's broadcast. “Hasek’s willingness to carry his teams on his back if his team isn’t ready to play. His presence intimidates shooters.”

The best part is that despite all this praise, Vasilevsky is a humble guy. Winning and being part of a great team will do that to a guy, but I get the sense that Vasilevsky is genuine when he deflects praise. After his Game 7 shutout of the President's Trophy winning Florida Panthers, Vasilevsky played things off like it was no big deal. When asked about his performance, here's how he responded:

“Same as probably the whole team. I thought I played all right. I just try to play my game. It’s not only about one guy. The whole team has got to play well.”

- Andrei Vasilevsky

And if you're still not convinced that Vasilevsky is carving out a space for himself amongst the all-time greats... consider this: In his last 7 series clinching games, Vasilevsky is 7-0 with just one... ONE... goal against total. I don't know the save percentage on that particular stat, but it has to be over 99%. In other words, when it matters the absolute most he simply does not allow a goal. If that's not the definition of clutch, I don't know what is.