Does Canucks’ Elias Pettersson Already Have the Calder Trophy Wrapped Up?
- Elias Petterson’s 2019 Calder Trophy odds get even shorter
- Miro is in the rear-view mirror
- What’s the best bet?
Ever since he started drawing Wayne Gretzky comparisons in the first week of the 2018-19 NHL season, Elias Pettersson has sat atop the Calder Trophy odds without a worry in sight.
However, just when we thought it was all set in stone, another contender has emerged! Well, somewhat.
19-year old Elias Pettersson entered the month of November as the -150 favorite in the Calder Trophy standings, but that number has since gotten a hefty injection.
EP is now sitting at -500 with a comfortable and commanding lead on the competition, but other Western Conference talent has slowly started to make a move up the odds board.
Odds to win 2019 Calder Trophy
| Player | Team | Odds to win 2018-19 Calder Trophy |
|---|---|---|
| Elias Pettersson | VAN | -500 |
| Miro Heiskanen | DAL | +600 |
| Rasmus Dahlin | BUF | +700 |
| Brady Tkachuk | OTT | +1100 |
| Anthony Cirelli | TB | +2200 |
| Andrei Svechnikov | CAR | +2500 |
| Casey Mittelstadt | BUF | +3300 |
Dallas Stars rook Miro Heiskanen has climbed from +800 to +600 in recent weeks, posting four points in five games.
He’s also now tied for fourth among the league’s rookies, and fifth on the team, in assists with eight.
He’s not alone making a move as of late, though. Rasmus Dahlin is right behind him going from +900 to +700 over the course of November. The big Swede has seven points in his last ten and also leads all league rookies in helpers.
While your board leader hasn’t only been stealing the stat lines, he’s also been grabbing headlines with his puck work this season, as well. Pettersson has been the lone bright light on an abysmal Canucks team that, as of the posting of this article, is currently riding a 1-8-1 losing streak through their last ten tilts.
Elias Pettersson with a ridiculous setup for Brock Boeser pic.twitter.com/c7nrwgRpHh
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 30, 2018
His hands have been very impressive whether he’s adding to his goal total or tossing out first or second assists.
Where Pettersson’s downfall may occur is he has shown early signs of inconsistency. He went five games through the middle of November only posting a single assist while still playing top line minutes.
Whether this is a Pettersson-caused issue or a Canucks-caused issue is up for debate, but if there is a weakness to be found thus far, that’d be it.
2018-19 NHL rookie scoring race
| Player | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elias Pettersson (-500) | 13 | 9 | 22 |
| Miro Heiskanen (+600) | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Rasmus Dahlin (+700) | 2 | 12 | 14 |
| Brady Tkachuk (+1100) | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| Anthony Cirelli (+2200) | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Andrei Svechnikov (+2500) | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Casey Mittelstadt (+3300) | 4 | 5 | 9 |
With that said, though, has there been anybody better than EP among rookies this season?
Well, the answer to that would be an easy no. He leads all freshmen in points by six, in goals by four, and is third in assists. Is it any wonder why he also leads all rookies by a landslide at sportsbooks? Again, the answer is an easy no.
Given, the Canucks offensive woes could eventually play a factor in inconsistencies down the road. For now, though, Elias Pettersson is still your safest Calder bet across the web.
Ryan is what you call a seasoned vet. It's been nearly 13 years and he has hosted three sports radio talk shows, two football television shows, two sports podcasts, released his first book in 2012, had his own ESPN E:60 documentary shot, and was the first inductee to ESPN's Hall of Fans.
