The National Hockey League is absolutely loaded with young, exciting, top-tier talent.
Most recently, the league has seen a cosmic shift towards youth and development with many top prospects such as Jake Sanderson, Owen Power, Trevor Zegras, and Matty Beniers taking center stage.
With the start of the 2023-24 NHL season just seven weeks away, it’s an ideal time to examine some of hockey’s most outstanding rookie and second-year players.
Without further ado, let’s analyze the latest NHL Calder Trophy odds, discuss eligibility and key dates, and make our best bets for who will take home the award.
NHL Calder Trophy Odds 2024
NHL betting odds used for these Calder Trophy predictions are from Wednesday, Aug. 30, and courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
- Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks (-125)
- Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils (+650)
- Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (+1000)
- Logan Cooley, C, Arizona Coyotes (+1200)
- Devon Levi, G, Buffalo Sabres (+1500)
- Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs (+2000)
- Shane Wright, C, Seattle Kraken (+2000)
- Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings (+2000)
- Leo Carlsson, C, San Jose Sharks (+2500)
- David Jiricek, D, Columbus Blue Jackets (+3000)
- Simon Nemec, D, New Jersey Devils (+3000)
- Luke Evangelista, RW, Nashville Predators (+3000)
NHL Calder Trophy Eligibility
Eligibility for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s most outstanding player in his first year of competition, is somewhat complex.
To be eligible to win the Calder Trophy, a player cannot exceed more than 25 games played in any single preceding season. In addition, a player must not have played in six or more games in each of the two seasons prior in any professional league (i.e. American Hockey League).
Finally, a player must not have turned 25 years of age by September 2023.
When is the Calder Trophy Awarded?
The Calder Trophy is awarded at the end of the 2023-24 NHL season at the annual NHL Awards Ceremony. This event typically takes place in late June after the Stanley Cup has been awarded.
An exact date and venue for the 2024 NHL Awards will be announced soon.
Who Will Win The 2024 Calder Trophy?
Conor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks (-125)
Although the regular season is still weeks away, an early heavy favorite to hoist the Calder has already emerged in the form of generational-talent-laden centerman, Connor Bedard.
Every once and a while the NHL is blessed with a supreme talent, capable of spurring a generation’s worth of players. Bedard fits that category, and by all indications is projected to be the most electrifying talent to enter the league since Connor McDavid.
- Read more on how the Chicago Blackhawks supercharged their rebuild by selecting Bedard.
Bedard’s draft year, which saw him selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, was one for the ages. After scoring a whopping 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists) in just 57 games (2.50 PPG) with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Bedard added 23 points in just seven games at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, taking home a gold medal and tournament MVP honors.
Bedard has an elite skill set and mesmerizing hockey IQ that should see him cruise to the Calder Trophy in 2024. Believe the hype, hockey fans, the Bedard train is ready to leave the station.
Calder Trophy Contenders
Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils (+650)
First up on our list of Calder Trophy contenders is Luke Hughes out of the University of Michigan.
After dominating at the collegiate level over the past couple of seasons, Hughes made his much-anticipated debut with the New Jersey Devils in 2022-23, appearing in two regular-season games and three postseason contests alongside his brother, Jack Hughes.
- Check out the latest Stanley Cup betting odds.
Luke is a silky-smooth skater who loves to possess the puck, create space, and make things happen. In 19:15 of postseason ice time, he ranked second amongst Devils defensemen in On-Ice Shot Attempts % (Corsi) and On-Ice Adjusted Expected Goals, per MoneyPuck.
Hughes enters this campaign as one of hockey’s most dynamic young defensemen and holds a legitimate shot to take home the trophy at a very intriguing price point.
Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (+1000)
Joining Hughes on our list of Calder Trophy contenders is his former college teammate at Michigan, Adam Fantilli.
Last season at Michigan, Fanitilli posted a whopping 30 goals and 65 points in just 36 games as an 18-year-old, taking the NCAA by storm as one of college hockey’s most outstanding players.
After being selected third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets at 2023 NHL Draft, Fantilli is a shoo-in to anchor the Jackets’ second line come October. And with this much skill, power, physicality, and poise with the puck, it’s only a matter of time before he takes the reins as Columbus’ premiere centerman.
Fantilli is a superstar in the making and an excellent value selection at 10-1 odds to bring home the Calder.
Calder Trophy Sleepers
Devon Levi, G, Buffalo Sabres (+1500)
The 2022-23 NHL campaign saw the Sabres start four netminders: Eric Comrie, Ukko-Pekka Luokkonen, Craig Anderson, and Levi.
Out of four, and despite appearing in only seven regular-season contests, Levi led the team in a wide range of advanced statistics and analytics. These included Expected Goals-Against, Save % on Unblocked Shots, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR), per MoneyPuck.
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The Sabres are projected to be vastly improved next season, and that all starts between the pipes with one of hockey’s most coveted goalie prospects.
At enticing 15-1 odds, Levi is worth a wager to bring home the Calder, especially if he helps lead the Sabres to the postseason for the first time in 12 seasons.
Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings (+2000)
The past few seasons have seen the Los Angeles Kings compile a vast array of talented prospects with the likes of Quinton Byfield, Arthur Kaliyev, and Alex Turcotte.
Another one is right on the cusp of his NHL debut, and he’s perhaps the most dynamic prospect in LA’s system. His name is Brandt Clarke.
In junior, Clarke plied his trade with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and owns the franchise record for most points scored (158) by a blue-liner. Clarke is an elite play-maker, uber-confident in possession of the puck, possesses great vision, and is an agile skater for a 20-year-old.
The former eighth overall pick is a fantastic value play as one of the league’s most promising rookie defensemen. Sprinkle a bet on the L.A. youngster as soon as you can.
Previous Calder Trophy Winners
2023: Matty Beniers, Seattle Kraken
2022: Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings
2021: Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild
2020: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
2019: Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
2018: Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders
2017: Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
2016: Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks
2015: Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
2014: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche