Calder Trophy Odds (NHL Rookie of the Year Odds): Hi Cale… It’s Quinn
By: Ryan Gilbert
It is really a two-horse race for the Calder Trophy as Colorado Avalanche rookie Cale Makar and Vancouver Canucks rookie Quinn Hughes continue to try and out maneuver one another in the Calder Trophy odds race as the NHL’s best rookie. Although both are defensemen, it is their offensive play that have them clear ahead of the field.
Makar is still the favorite with his NHL Rookie of the year Odds at -160 while Hughes’s Calder Trophy Odds sit is at an even +100, but that could soon change. Victor Olofsson is also still in it at +1200 after a few points in his return from injury.
Best Sports Books 2020
[table id=284 /]
Cale Makar (Calder Trophy Odds/NHL Rookie of the Year Odds: -160)
Cale Makar has been the guy in the Calder Trophy race for most of the season.
Of the three rookies that still have odds listed, Makar has always been the favorite of the three. He started out the season with +500 odds on October 1st, with them gradually getting lower and lower. He hit +430 on October 11th, +240 on November 5th, +200 on December 2nd, and finally broke below even with -238 in January and now -160 in February.
Makar missed some time with an injury, but that hasn’t really slowed him down at all.
Makar started the season strong with 10 points in 12 October games and 16 points (seven goals) in 14 November games. His injury occured in December, when he had just three assists in six games. He has been okay in 2020 with 16 points in 19 games total; eight in nine January games and eight points through 11 February games.
Makar doesn’t lead rookies in anything, but is among the top few in most statistical categories. He is second in points (45), second in assists (33) and sixth in goals (12). His points-per-game of 0.87 is tied for first with Olofsson, who we’ll get to later.
Cale Makar is definitely one of the top two contenders for the Calder, but it should almost be a -110/-110 split between him and Quinn Hughes.
Quinn Hughes (Calder Trophy Odds/NHL Rookie of the Year Odds: +100)
Quinn Hughes has quickly caught up to Cale Makar in the Calder Trophy race. In fact, he has surpassed him in my eyes.
Hughes hit a bit of a lull in December, but he has recorded eight or more points in the other four months, and has 10 or more points in three months, including February. He started with 10 points in 12 October games and 12 points in 14 November games. However, he hit that lull with just six points in 13 December games. In 2020 he has been a nearly point-per-game player with 19 points through 20 games.
Hughes’ odds for the Calder have consistently improved. He started all the way up at +1200 in October and that number has steadily declined. His odds hit +500 in November, +350 in December, +213 in January and now +100 in February.
At this rate, Hughes should be the favorite soon enough – and that’d be well-deserved. Get in on the Hughes train while he is still at +100.
