Jack Hughes’ Calder Trophy Odds Improve to +200 Despite Slow Start; Victor Olofsson Opens at +1400

• Jack Hughes, Kapo Kakko have yet to register a point this season.
• Only one of the last four Calder Trophy winners didn’t have a point in his first four games (like Hughes and Kakko).
• Read below to find the best current value bet to win the Calder Trophy

The 2019-20 season started off with the Calder Trophy odds listing Jack Hughes as a +230 favorite. We’re four games into the season and he still has zero points, but Hughes is now an even bigger favorite to win the Calder Trophy. Is this an ominous sign for those holding Hughes futures or is he still a good bet?

NHL Calder Trophy Odds

*Odds taken 10/11/19

Hughes Still Pointless

Hughes was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and the assumption was that he’d have an immediate impact on the Devils. That’s been far from the truth as Hughes has zero points and is a -3 through four games. He has registered seven shots on net but they’ve obviously been fruitless.

Taking a look at the last four Calder Trophy winners, Elias Pettersson had seven points through his first four games last season, Auston Matthews had six in his rookie season in 2016-17 while Artemi Panarin had four points in the first four games in 2015-16. Matthew Barzal, the 2017 Calder Trophy winner, had no points in his first four games.

Needless to say, this is not a good sign for Hughes.

Other Favorites Struggling

Kapo Kakko was one of the names who was at the top of the board with Hughes but he’s struggled too, failing to register a point. Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche had three points in three games, but his ice time has been 18:01 or less in the first two contests. He’s fourth in terms of Time On Ice among the Avalanche defenseman, so that’s hurt his cause.

Even so, both players have the same odds as before, so the oddsmakers are clearly telling us they expect Hughes to improve.

Olofsson Leads Rookie Scorers

Victor Olofsson of the Buffalo Sabres started the season off the board in terms of the Calder Trophy futures but he’s had such a hot start that he’s now at +1400. Through four games, Olofsson has picked up four goals and five points so far this season, which is quite impressive.

What you have to like here is that Olofsson looks like he’s going to be playing with Jack Eichel for the foreseeable future. The duo looked like they developed good chemistry in a few games in March last season and that’s carried over to the 2019-20 campaign.

The caveat here is that all of his goals have been on the power play. The upside is that Eichel looks like he’s going to have another strong season and if that’s the case, Olofsson could be a sniper who is on-pace for 30+ goals.

What’s The Best Bet?

Considering Hughes, Kakko and some of the other favorites haven’t really impressed yet and their odds haven’t dropped, I’m not interested in backing those guys. I didn’t like Kakko before and now that Hughes has had a slow start, that leads me to pass on him at such a short price.

I’d take a flier on the hot hand with Olofsson as he looks like he’s in a great spot next to Eichel. At +1400, he looks like he’s worth a play before his odds shorten.