Canadian actor Will Arnett will host the 2016 NHL awards Wednesday in Las Vegas.
Patrick Kane has a better than 90% chance to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player Wednesday (June 22) in Las Vegas.
That’s according to Bodog, which has posted betting odds for the 2016 NHL Awards that will be hosted by Will Arnett and broadcast on Sportsnet, beginning at 7 p.m. eastern.
In other awards, Braden Holtby is practically a lock to claim the Vezina as top goalie, and the Senators’ Erik Karlsson is projected to edge out Drew Doughty for the Norris as top defenceman.
Following a breakdown of each major NHL award and the odds for each finalist, along with thoughts from NHL.com writers.
(To bet on the 2016 NHL awards or see the latest odds, visit www.Bodog.eu and click on Sports>Hockey>Hockey Specials.)
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
Patrick Kane looks like a slam dunk to win the NHL MVP, listed at -1000 (that means you’d have to bet $1,000 to win $100). The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby and the Stars’ Jamie Benn each pay +700 (you’d win $700 per $100 risked).
“No player had a bigger impact on the scoresheet and in wins than Kane,” noted NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen. “He had 16 goals and 40 points during his 26-game point streak, and Chicago went 15-7-4 during that span. Kane had at least a point in 64 of 82 games. Chicago was 45-12-7 when he had a point; 2-14-2 when he didn’t.”
However, a couple of NHL.com’s writers think Crosby has a legitimate shot at the award.
“The Penguins received a boost when Mike Sullivan replaced Mike Johnston as coach in December, and Crosby was superb after the move,” said NHL.com deputy managing editor Brian Compton. “He had more points (58) than any player in the NHL after Jan. 1 and led the Penguins from being outside of the playoff picture to having home-ice advantage in the first round.”
Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
You might want to go grab a beer from the fridge when it’s time for the Vezina Trophy presentation, because it doesn’t look like it will be very suspenseful. The Capitals’ Braden Holtby is -3000 to win the award, with Ben Bishop of the Lightning (+700) the only other goalie given a legitimate shot. Jonathan Quick of the Kings rounds out the finalists at +1500.
“In the end, a goalie’s job is to let in at least one fewer goal than his opponent. Holtby was better at that than any goalie this season,” said NHL.com’s Shawn P. Roarke. “His 48 wins were 20 percent more than his closest competitor, fellow Vezina finalist Quick (40 wins). Holtby also was the only goalie with more than 50 starts to lose fewer than 10 games (nine) in regulation and fewer than 20 (16) overall.”
If you want to roll the dice on a 7:1 longshot, however, Rosen thinks Bishop has the right credentials for the award.
His 2.06 goals-against average and .926 save percentage were first among NHL goalies with 40 or more starts, and his 35 wins were tied for fourth,” Rosen said. “The Lightning dealt with injuries and inconsistent offense all season, but Bishop stood tall through it all.”
James Norris Trophy (Top Defenceman)
This one should be interesting. Erik Karlsson is the Norris Trophy betting favourite at -140, but the Kings’ Drew Doughty isn’t far behind at +155. Brent Burns of the Sharks can’t be forgotten either, paying +450.
“He was tied for fourth in the NHL with 82 points, the same number scored by Sharks center Joe Thornton, and became the first defenseman to top 80 points in a season since the Detroit Red Wings’ Nicklas Lidstrom in 2005-06,” NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin said. “There always are valid arguments against Karlsson’s defensive play, but he will win the Norris Trophy for the second straight season.”
However, the majority of NHL.com writers felt Doughty would win the award, making him an attractive pick at plus money.
“A runner-up last year to Karlsson, Doughty is due to win his first Norris,” wrote Tom Gulitti. “He led NHL defensemen with a 58.89 shot attempts percentage at 5-on-5, averaged 28:01 of ice time per game, which ranked third in the NHL, and had 14 goals and 51 points.”
Here’s a look at the other NHL awards odds:
Calder Memorial Trophy (Top rookie)
Artemi Panarin, Chicago (-325)
Connor McDavid, Edmonton (+255)
Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia (+800)
Frank J. Selke Award (Top defensive forward)
Patrice Bergeron, Boston (+100)
Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles (-110)
Ryan Kesler, Anaheim (+650)
Jack Adams Award (Top coach)
Barry Trotz, Washington (-115)
Gerard Gallant, Florida (-105)
Lindy Ruff, Dallas (+800)
Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct)
Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles (-210)
Aleksander Barkov, Florida (+300)
Loui Eriksson, Boston (+333)