NHL

Connor Bedard NHL season props, Rookie of the Year odds: Can Blackhawks phenom match the hype?

Connor Bedard has been billed as the next big thing in the NHL, and based on the odds they’ve attached to him, the top sportsbooks in the US seem to agree with that assessment.

The Chicago Blackhawks center and No. 1 pick in this past June’s NHL Draft is the runaway favorite to win the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year. He even has a series of special markets dedicated to him at some sportsbooks.

Can the 18-year old live up to the hype in his first season? More importantly, is he worth backing this year when betting on the NHL? 

Connor Bedard Calder Trophy odds to win NHL Rookie of the Year

Here’s a look at the latest odds to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year.

 

As you can see, Bedard is a runaway favorite before the puck drops Tuesday on Opening Night.

But is it worth betting on him at those odds?

There’s no question Bedard has otherworldly potential, and that the NHL will strap its marketing rocket to him from Day 1. If you needed further proof of that second point, the Blackhawks are opening their season on ESPN against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday. A night later, they’ll be on TNT against the Bruins (7:30 p.m. ET).

That’s two nationally televised games in as many nights for a team that finished second from the bottom in the league a year ago.

But having The Next Big Thing can do that, and it’s the type of marketing push that can win you an award when the season ends. 

Bedard isn’t a sure thing, because those don’t exist, but he has a lot going for him already.

Part of the fun of a futures bet, however, is getting a little more return for something you feel strongly about. That’s not the case here, as you’d have to bet $120 to make $100 on Bedard winning Rookie of the Year. And don’t bother waiting to see, because if he goes off in those first two games, that price will only get worse.

RELATED: Top sports betting promos | Best Illinois online sportsbooks

NHL odds on Connor Bedard to win Hart Trophy as MVP

If you want to put Bedard and longshot together, the Hart Trophy would be your chance. He’s listed as high as +10000 at Caesars Sportsbook to be the NHL MVP.

Those odds are that high for a reason, of course, as a rookie winning the Hart is almost unheard of. Wayne Gretzky won it in his first NHL season, but he technically wasn’t a rookie, as he had played in the WHA.

The only actual NHL rookies to win the award are Nels Stewart and Herb Gardiner, who won the award in 1926 and 1927.

Here’s the full odds board to win NHL MVP:

 

2023-24 total goals and points odds for Connor Bedard

FanDuel sportsbook is offering odds on Bedard’s season totals in goals and points. FanDuel lists his goals at 31.5 and points at 68.5, with -113 odds on either side of both markets.

Bedard is certainly capable of racking up plenty of goals and points. This past season he had 71 goals and 143 points in 57 games for the Regina Pats of the WHL. In the 2022-23 World Junior Championships, he had nine goals and 23 points for Canada in seven games.

Obviously he’s about to step way up in class, but rookies have done plenty of damage in the league before.

NHL rookies have scored 32 or more goals 63 times in league history, the most recent being Auston Mathews and Patrik Laine in 2016-17. A rookie has recorded 69 or more points 57 times. Matthew Barzal is the most recent to do it in 2017-18.

Here’s a look at what other recent “generational prospects” did in their rookie years:

  • Auston Mathews, 69 points (40 goals) in 2016-17
  • Connor McDavid, 48 points (16 goals) in 2015-16
  • Nathan MacKinnon, 63 points (24 goals) in 2013-14
  • Taylor Hall, 42 points (22 goals) in 2010-11
  • Steven Stamkos, 46 points (23 goals) in 2008-09
  • Patrick Kane, 72 points (21 goals) in 2007-08
  • Sidney Crosby, 102 points (39 goals) in 2005-06
  • Alex Ovechkin, 106 points (52 goals) in 2005-06

Connor Bedard betting specials and promos

When you have a talent like Bedard, sportsbooks like to lean in, and FanDuel is doing just that, offering several special markets for the rookie: 

  • To record 1+ hat tricks in his first 20 NHL games (+550)
  • To record 1+ hat trick (+105)
  • To record 2+ hat tricks (+750)
  • To record 1+ hat tricks in home games (+230)
  • To record 3+ goals in his first 5 NHL games (+170)
  • To score 1+ goal against each Central Division team, Blackhawks excluded (+600)

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