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Latest Calder Trophy Odds List Zegras and Raymond as Favorites After Caufield Sent Down to AHL

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in NHL Hockey

Updated Nov 1, 2021 · 2:15 PM PDT

Calder Trophy Odds - Lucas Raymond
Detroit Red Wings left wing Lucas Raymond (23) shoots on Florida Panthers defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
  • Trevor Zegras, Lucas Raymond have vaulted to the top of the Calder Trophy odds after seeing Cole Caufield assigned to the AHL Laval Rocket
  • The preseason favorite to win top rookie honors, Caufield’s demotion comes on the heels of a shaky start
  • Read on for full Calder Trophy odds and trends as the race for this season’s NHL Rookie of the Year heats up

What started out as a promising rookie campaign for Cole Caufield was put on hold on Monday, when the Montreal Canadiens assigned their talented young forward to the AHL Laval Rocket. Caufield’s demotion has created a shakeup in the Calder Trophy odds, which have now evolved into a tight two-way race. Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras continues to lead the way as +425 chalk, while a fast start has vaulted Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond to a fast rising +475 bet.

Here’s a look at the recent movement in the Calder Trophy odds, and what the Canadiens’ roster move means for Caufield’s hopes of emerging as this year’s top rookie.

Calder Trophy Odds

Player Odds
Trevor Zegras +425
Lucas Raymond +475
Moritz Seider +850
Cole Caufield +900
Spencer Knight +1200
Jeremy Swayman +1500
Alex Nedeljkovic +1800
Jonathan Dahlen +1800
Bowen Byram +2000
Michael Bunting +2000
Anton Lundell +2000
Dawson Mercer +2200
Vasily Podkolzin +2500
Jamie Drysdale +2500
Vladimir Tkachyov +2800
Nils Lundqvist +3000
William Eklund +3000
Cole Perfetti +4000
Alex Newhook +4000
Hendrix Lapierre +4000
Arthur Kaliyev +4000
Peyton Krebs +4000
Marco Rossi +4000
Seth Jarvis +4500
Jack Studnicka +5000

Odds as of November 1st at DraftKings

Caufield’s Calder Trophy Odds Fade During Habs Slow Start

It took little time for Cole Caufield to make his mark in his NHL debut. Selected 15th overall by the Canadiens in the 2019 NHL Draft, Caufield provided Montreal with a spark down the stretch last season, scoring four goals and adding one helper in 10 regular season contests. The 20-year-old subsequently played a big role in the club’s march to the Stanley Cup Final, potting four goals and eight assists.

However, that momentum has not carried over into the new season. Beset by a rash of injuries, the Canadiens have stumbled out of the gate, posting wins in just two of 10 contests while tallying a 29th-ranked 1.90 goals per game. Caufield has not been immune, contributing just one assist through 10 outings. And after seeing just 11:06 of ice time in Sunday’s 4-2 loss to Anaheim, the club made the relatively easy decision to send Caufield to Laval.

The demotion is likely in the best interest of Caufield’s development, but it has nonetheless devastated his position at the sportsbooks. Pegged as a clear +275 favorite in the preseason odds to be named top rookie, Caufield heads to Laval as a +900 bet to win the Calder. While Canadiens brass are hopeful Caufield can quickly rediscover his game, and make a relatively speedy return to Montreal, it is likely too much to ask for him to return to the front of the pack in the top rookie race.

Zegras, Raymond Worthy Calder Trophy Favorites

Trevor Zegras has emerged as one of the bright spots for the Ducks during their shaky start. Selected ninth overall in the 2019 draft, Zegras has made the most of his top-line opportunity in Anaheim. The 19-year-old has averaged a point per game over his past four outings, and five total points in 10 contests, with all his production coming at even strength. Zegras also ranks third in ice time among Ducks forwards. However, he has little margin for error in a Ducks lineup that features considerable depth up the middle, including veteran Ryan Getzlaf, versatile playmaker Isaac Lundestrom, and youngster Sam Steel.

Lucas Raymond enjoys a much more comfortable position in the Detroit Red Wings lineup. Listed as a lengthy +2950 preseason bet in the Calder Trophy odds, Raymond has played a central role in the Red Wings’ early-season resurgence, potting a team-best nine points in nine outings while regularly playing alongside Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin.

Seider Still Holds Value in Calder Trophy Odds

While Raymond’s early contributions currently make him the best bet in the Calder odds, it remains tough to overlook the 19-year-old’s teammate on the blue line, Moritz Seider. Fresh off an outstanding debut in the Swedish Hockey League, where he earned top defenceman honors while gaining a reputation for his fierce physical play, Seider has carried that success over into his NHL debut.

The 20-year-old German leads all rookies with eight assists and has also logged the most ice time per game, averaging 22:26 while playing in all situations. Of course, with just two rearguards claiming the Calder Trophy over the past 11 years, Seider will likely have to maintain a torrid pace if he is to raise the hardware. But given how he has met and exceeded expectations at every level he has played, the promising Red Wings blueliner is worthy of a value wager at +850.

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