Finally an NHL Awards Show Worth Watching (and Betting on)

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