Opening 2022 Calder Trophy Odds Favor Canadiens’ Cole Caufield to Win
By Brady Trettenero in NHL Hockey
Published:
- Opening 2022 Calder Trophy odds have been released
- Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield is the early favorite
- Read below for the full opening Calder Trophy odds and best bets
Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield has opened as the favorite in the 2022 Calder Trophy odds. The 20-year-old is primed for a big season after impressing with the Habs in the 2021 NHL Playoffs.
Aside from Caufield, there are several other intriguing rookies on the board. Among the notable names are Panthers’ goalie Spencer Knight and Red Wings’ blueliner Moritz Seider.
We layout the opening Calder Trophy odds and tell you which players to wager on. For bettors north of the border, Canada online sports betting is now live with sportsbooks offering all types of NHL futures and odds.
2022 Calder Trophy Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cole Caufield (Canadiens) | +300 |
| Trevor Zegras (Ducks) | +500 |
| Spencer Knight (Panthers) | +1000 |
| Alex Nedeljkovic (Red Wings) | +1000 |
| Moritz Seider (Red Wings) | +1200 |
| Marco Rossi (Wild) | +1200 |
| Alex Newhook (Avalanche) | +1500 |
| Vasily Podkolzin (Canucks) | +1500 |
| Quinton Byfield (Kings) | +1500 |
| Jamie Drysdale (Ducks) | +1800 |
| Bowen Byram (Avalanche) | +2200 |
| Nick Robertson (Leafs) | +2500 |
| Lucas Raymond (Red Wings) | +2500 |
| Vitali Kravtsov (Rangers) | +2500 |
| Jeremy Swayman (Bruins) | +2500 |
| Matt Boldy (Wild) | +3000 |
| Michael Bunting (Leafs) | +3500 |
| Shane Pinto (Senators) | +3500 |
| Arthur Kaliyev (Kings) | +3500 |
| Connor McMichael (Capitals) | +4000 |
Odds as of September 29th, 2021 at DraftKings
Caufield Is Value Favorite
Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield offers early value at +300 in the 2022 Calder Trophy odds. The American sniper has been a lethal goalscorer at every level he’s played throughout his career. He impressed in his first taste of NHL action last season, potting eight goals in 30 games (reg. season + playoffs).
Caulfield has 30-40-goal potential in 2021-22, which means he should at the least end up as a Calder finalist. What makes him a safe bet is the fact he’s already displayed chemistry with his linemates. Caulfield has excelled on a line with Nick Suzuki and Tyler Toffoli, and will also get to play with newcomer Mike Hoffman on the power play.
Caufield isn’t the type of lock Kirill Kaprizov was last season, however, mainly due to fellow American Trevor Zegras. The 2021 World Junior MVP dazzled in 24 games last season, notching 13 points. The concern with Zegras is his linemates, as Anaheim is currently rebuilding. Zegras still has the world-class skill to make this a tight race.
Knight Time in Florida
Florida Panthers’ goalie Spencer Knight is the best goalie you can wager on in the Calder odds this season. The 20-year-old is expected to take the reins on an exciting Panthers squad that is rising in the Stanley Cup odds. Knight was excellent in limited action last season, posting a .919 save percentage in four appearances.
Spencer Knight of the @FlaPanthers, the first goaltender born in the 2000s to appear in an NHL game, turned aside 33 of 34 shots to earn a win in his League debut. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/YKFj0gNjs6
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 21, 2021
The other goalie worth considering is Red Wings’ goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, who is once again eligible for the Calder in 2022 after finishing as a finalist in 2021. His experience makes it seem like he’d be a smart bet, but the reality is he’s going from a good Carolina team to a weak Detroit squad.
Knight is an extremely talented goaltender and the better bet of the two, but there’s reason to tread lightly. The last time a goalie won the Calder Trophy was back in 2009 when Blue Jackets’ Steve Mason took home the award. Goalies can be inconsistent no matter their skill level and often reach their prime much later than players.
Is the Seider Smart Longshot?
When it comes to potential longshots in the 2022 Calder odds, there are several players worth considering. Red Wings’ blueliner Moritz Seider is generating plenty of hype after a fantastic 2020-21 season in the SHL. He’s expected to make an immediate impact and log heavy minutes for a rebuilding Red Wings squad.
Moritz Seider leading drills this morning at Red Wings training camp. pic.twitter.com/cP7Z7706hU
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) September 27, 2021
Seider should have a strong season, but he isn’t a smart bet for the Calder. Detroit was one of the league’s worst teams last season and doesn’t boast a good supporting cast around the youngster. Seider also hasn’t posted elite offensive numbers, which are required to gain Calder buzz nowadays. Only 12 defensemen have ever won the trophy.
Quinton Byfield is the other longshot I like for the Calder, but I can’t justify a wager given the Kings’ center depth. Byfield will be playing behind Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault, which will limit his impact. The best way to wager on the Calder odds is choosing between Caufield and Zegras and sprinkling on Knight as the value play.
Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
