Much to my surprise, a few sports books (BetED, Stan James, The Greek, Betsson, and possibly others) have posted odds on the NHL awards.
I will discuss the odds and line movement for some of the awards. Richard has also weighed in on who he thinks is going to win.
Hart Trophy: Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk
By all accounts this is a two horse race between Malkin and Ovechkin.
Malkin opened as a slight favorite over Ovechkin at The Greek, but the odds have changed since the opening lines. At the Greek, Ovechkin has gone from +115 to -140, and is now also a favorite at Stan James and Betsson. Ovechkin remains an underdog at BetED, where he is still +115.
Note: For some reason BetED, The Greek, and Stan James all have Steve Mason listed as the third Hart Trophy nominee.
Richard’s Pick: Ovechkin
Ari’s Pick: Ovechkin +115 at BetED
Calder Trophy: Steve Mason, Bobby Ryan, Kris Versteeg
The Greek inexplicably opened with Mason at -160. Obviously I maxed that out and then maxed it out again at -200. The Greek is no longer offering odds on the Calder. Neither is Stan James.
Betsson is offering Mason at -333 which is still good value, and BetED has Mason at -575.
Richard’s Pick: Mason
Ari’s Pick: Mason -333 at Betsson
Vezina Trophy: Tim Thomas, Steve Mason, Niklas Backstrom
Timmy is the heavy favorite here, as the best price on him to win the Vezina is -400 (bet $4 to win $1). I’m not sure if my affinity for the Blue Jackets is affecting me and at risk of angering our Bruins fans, I’m not sure Thomas should be such a heavy favorite.
Why Thomas will win: He led the league in GAA and SV% and led his team to a first place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Why Mason will win: He led the league in shutouts, and was second in GAA while leading a team expected to miss the playoffs to their first trip to the post-season. Also, Thomas only played 54 games.
Richard’s Pick: None (Update from Drew–Richy has contacted me from his scouting trip to say that he likes Tim Thomas for the Vezina)
Ari’s Pick: Not Tim Thomas +350 at the Greek (options are Tim Thomas AND Steve Mason or Nicklas Backstrom)
Norris Trophy: Nick Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara, Mike Green
My initial reaction was to go with Mike Green, but the line movement has indicated clearly that people’s money is on Zdeno Chara.
Lidstrom opened as the favorite at The Greek but has since taken a backseat to Chara. Chara has moved from an underdog to a moderate favorite at -150.
Chara is now the favorite everywhere but is still available at + odds at BetED (+120).
Richard’s Pick: Chara
Ari’s Pick: Chara +120 at BetED
Selke Trophy: Pavel Datsyuk, Mike Richards, Ryan Kesler
No clue and minimal line movement. Here are the best odds on each player:
Datsyuk: +120 Betsson
Richards: +250 The Greek
Kesler: +250 The Greek
Richard’s Pick: Richards
Ari’s Pick: No clue, but I trust Richard. Probably bet on both Datsyuk at +120 and Richards at +250.
Lady Bing Trophy: Zach Parise, Marty St. Louis, Pavel Datsyuk
How do you handicap this? Politest handshake? Least penalties?
Parise: +170 The Greek
St. Louis: +180 The Greek
Datsyuk: +180 The Greek
Richard’s Pick: Datsyuk
Ari’s Pick: pass
Jack Adams: Andy Murray, Todd McLellan, Claude Julien
No odds available
Richard’s Pick: Claude Julien
