In the SBNation NHL email chain, we occasionally get updates from Bovada with the odds that they are giving for various award races and standings results. The odds set by bookmakers are somewhat grounded in sports expertise, but are also reflective of how they think people will bet. At the beginning of the season, few experts thought Columbus would have a winning season, and few gamblers would put money on the contrary.
On the eve of the season, October 11, Columbus was given 66/1 odds to win the 2017 Stanley Cup. This was tied for the worst odds in the league, along with Arizona, Carolina, and Vancouver. Just 0.31% of Bovada users were taking action on Columbus. In the Eastern Conference, Columbus and Carolina were given 33/1 odds to win the conference, and Columbus was alone with the worst odds of winning the Metro, at 20/1 (Carolina and New Jersey were next closest at 16/1).
In awards races, Zach Werenski was off the board for the Calder Memorial Trophy, but Pierre-Luc Dubois was fifth at 12/1. Auston Matthews started the season as a 5/8 favorite.
Sergei Bobrovsky was off the board for the Vezina Trophy.
As we reported earlier, John Tortorella was given the highest odds of being the first coached fired this season, at 13/4. The actual first coach fired was Florida’s Gerard Gallant, on November 27. He was not on the board in that October 18 email.
So, how do we look now? Much, much better! In the latest odds, received prior to Tuesday’s games, Columbus was now the FAVORITE to win the Stanley Cup, with 7/1 odds. They are followed by Chicago at 15/2 and Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and New York at 9/1.
Columbus is 15/4 to win the Eastern Conference and 6/5 to win the Metropolitan Division.
Zach Werenski is now third in the race for the Calder Memorial Trophy, at 9/2. This is actually worse than the 13/4 odds he had at the beginning of December. Matthews and Patrik Laine are co-favorites at 1/1 odds.
In the Vezina race, Devan Dubnyk – who we just saw (and defeated) on Saturday – is at the top with 10/11 odds. Bob is next with 12/5.
We weren’t given odds for the Jack Adams trophy but I’d have to think Torts would be a frontrunner there.
How do these odds sound to you? (Not that we would ever encourage gambling, of course not, this is purely speculative and recreational, of course) Are any of the Jackets too high or too low? Should any Jackets be in consideration for other awards, like perhaps the Maurice “Rocket” Richard (most goals) or Art Ross (most points)?