The Toronto Maple Leafs are rebuilding - and with rebuilds come exciting, young prospects.
Such as, say, noted first overall pick Auston Matthews, who everyone loves and is endlessly excited for.
That excitement appears to extend to sports betting agency Bovada, who has given him 5/8 odds to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie of the 2016-17 season - the highest amongst everyone.
But! Remember that the Leafs have players other than Matthews. Players such as William Nylander, who made his NHL debut last season and scored 13 points in 22 games.
Nylander played fewer than 25 games last season, so he still counts as a rookie in the NHL’s eyes. And that early experience and promise certainly helps; he’s been given 10/1 odds to win the Calder himself.
Here’s the full list, via Bovada:
Auston Matthews (TOR) 5/8
Patrik Laine (WPG) 11/4
Dylan Strome (PHO) 8/1
William Nylander (TOR) 10/1
Pierre-Luc Dubois (CLB) 12/1
Jimmy Vesey (NYR) 12/1
Jesse Puljujarvi (EDM) 15/1
With Mike Babcock at the helm, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see a Leaf take the Calder this year.
And hey, Matthews probably has a great shot - this decade, first overall picks who weren’t selected by Edmonton have always won. All two of them. Matthews should have it in him to make it three!