Why the Avalanche Rookie Owns the Best Calder Trophy Odds
The Calder Trophy is one of the most interesting trophies in hockey. It is an annual award given “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League.”
Some years, there is a runaway favorite for the trophy, while other years there are a handful of candidates that have compelling cases as the league’s best rookie.
This year, it seems like it’s one man’s to lose: Cale Makar. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman picked up where he left off after an injury as he is back near his point-per-game pace with 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in 34 games. He is also the odds-on favorite at -275 to win the Calder.
Behind Makar there are two other players with decent odds. Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes sits at +275 thanks to 30 points in 41 games. Buffalo Sabres forward Victor Olofsson leads rookies in points with 35 and sits at +475, but his recent injury puts him out five-to-six weeks and drastically decreases his chances for the Calder.
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The Calder Trophy Odds for the Long Shots
After that, the odds get a lot worse. Ilya Mikheyev (injured), Martin Necas and Nick Suzuki are +3000. 
The top few draft picks usually have top billing at the beginning of the season, but by the midway mark, other contenders emerge. That is exactly the case this year in the NHL.
While Jack Hughes and Kappo Kakko started out the season as the favorites for the Calder, the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks have taken quite the fall in the odds.
They are both longshots to win the trophy at +4000 each. But if they go on a run, they only need to jump past four or five other players to get into serious contention. While +4000 seems nearly impossible, it is tied for the sixth-best odds for the Calder.
So, if you want a horse in the race, get Cale Makar while the odds are still reasonable. Otherwise, take a crack at Hughes or Kakko. They each have 16 points this season and should be put in a position to succeed in the second half as the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils shift their focus to their young stars.
Best Sports book 2020
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