NHL Awards betting preview
With all the excitement surrounding the NHL's expansion and entry drafts this week, it's understandable the league's award ceremony is being slightly overlooked, but there's still some hardware to be handed out.
Most fans may be tuning in Wednesday night to witness the league's 31st franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, name its roster. But some will also take the opportunity to throw down some loot on predicting who will take home the league's top honors.
Here's a look at the nominees, and we break down each category's likely winner so you can adjust your bet accordingly. The awards are hosted in Vegas, after all.
Calder Trophy
| Nominee (Team) | Odds to Win |
|---|---|
| Auston Matthews (Maple Leafs) | 1.05-1 |
| Patrik Laine (Jets) | 6.50-1 |
| Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets) | 19-1 |
Matthews put the league on notice from the jump with a quartet of tallies in his first game and finished with 69 points. He was also the best all-around rookie last season. Carrying Toronto to the playoffs by leading the team in goals and points, Matthews proved that he was worth being drafted with the first overall pick ahead of Laine.
There is obviously zero value in taking Matthews here, even though he deserves the award. Sprinkle a small wager on Laine at 6.50-1 and hope that his 36 goals in 73 games - nine fewer contests than Matthews - are enough to put him in contention.
Winner: Auston Matthews
Jack Adams Award
| Nominee (Team) | Odds to Win |
|---|---|
| Mike Babcock (Maple Leafs) | 1.74-1 |
| John Tortorella (Blue Jackets) | 3.25-1 |
| Todd McLellan (Oilers) | 3.65-1 |
Taking a club from dead last in the league to a playoff position a year later requires Jack Adams-level coaching, and that's exactly what Babcock did with his Leafs this season.
Sure, the Oilers were only one point ahead of Toronto in 2015-16 and followed it up by finishing second in the Pacific Division this year. But, with all due respect to Matthews, Connor McDavid makes McLellan's job too easy for this award.
At 1.74-1, Babcock won't win you a mortgage payment, but if you parlay it with another pick - or two - your payout should be worth a wager.
Winner: Mike Babcock
Vezina Trophy
| Nominee (Team) | Odds to Win |
|---|---|
| Segei Bobrovsky (Blue Jackets) | 1.25-1 |
| Braden Holtby (Capitals) | 3.20-1 |
| Carey Price (Canadiens) | 23-1 |
Finishing the season with the league's best goals-against average (2.06) and save percentage (.931) should present a strong enough case for Bobrovsky to take home his second Vezina in four years.
However, Holtby also had a stellar year, and led the NHL in two important categories - his nine shutouts and 42 wins both paced the league. It must be taken into consideration that Holtby played behind the best team in the East, but remember the Blue Jackets are no longer bottom-feeders.
That makes this perhaps the toughest choice on the board. The edge goes to Bob for playing behind a younger, less experienced squad while still pushing his team to a 100-plus-point season.
Winner: Sergei Bobrovsky
Norris Trophy
| Nominee (Team) | Odds to Win |
|---|---|
| Brent Burns (Sharks) | 1.20-1 |
| Erik Karlsson (Senators) | 3.50-1 |
| Victor Hedman (Lightning) | 26-1 |
Here's the first opportunity to take someone other than the favorite and actually have a good shot at cashing out. Burns had an unreal season, finishing ninth in league scoring, but this is a defensive honor, and few play the position better than Karlsson.
If the playoffs counted for this trophy, predicting the winner would be easier than scoring against the Dallas Stars. But the postseason isn't a factor, so Karlsson's amazing Cup run won't be considered, and the Norris is still Burns' to lose.
Regardless, at 3.50-1, Karlsson is just way too good to not sprinkle a wager on him.
Winner: Erik Karlsson
Hart Trophy
| Nominee (Team) | Odds to Win |
|---|---|
| Connor McDavid (Oilers) | 1.15-1 |
| Sidney Crosby (Penguins) | 5-1 |
| Sergei Bobrovsky (Blue Jackets) | 12-1 |
As is the case with Matthews and the Calder, there's no value in picking the favorite to win the league MVP.
McDavid paced the league in assists and points with 70 and 100, respectively, earning the right to be the favorite. But never count out Crosby, who led the NHL with 44 goals and registered 89 points while playing seven fewer games than McDavid. At 5-1, Sid's definitely worth a couple bucks.
Apologies to Bobrovsky, but this award comes down to the two best players on the planet. McDavid will have plenty of time to win this award once Crosby retires, so chalk up another Hart for No. 87.
Winner: Sidney Crosby
(Odds courtesy: Bodog)
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)