NHL futures: Are the Canucks gaining value to win the Stanley Cup?
When it comes to pointing out Stanley Cup contenders in November, it's no surprise that the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche are still two of the betting favorites coming out of the Western Conference. But there is a sleeper team emerging that fans and bettors alike should be aware of: the Vancouver Canucks.
This Pacific Division squad has spent the last several seasons trying to climb their way back to relevance, and so far this season things are paying off. The young team led by juggernaut Quinn Hughes is thriving under new bench boss Rick Tocchet and they enter the (American) Thanksgiving week in second place in the Western Conference, just three points behind Vegas.
What has the Canucks early-season success done for them at sportsbooks? Here's a look at a variety of odds.
While the Canucks are still a long shot at DraftKings to hoist Lord Stanley's Mug, their odds have certainly shortened since the start of the season. Ahead of their season-opening 8-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver was listed at 65-1 to win the Stanley Cup. Now, after going 12-5-1 to start the season, they have the 13th shortest odds to win it at all 25-1.
As Covers reminds us, the Golden Knights were listed at 12-1 last season before they ended up winning the Final. So anything is possible for the Canucks right now.
Elsewhere at DK, members of the Canucks are betting favorites. It's no surprise that Hughes is the 9-5 favorite to win the Norris Trophy for most offensive defenseman since he is in a three-way tie for most points scored (28) through the first month of the season. He is tied with forwards and teammates Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller at the top of the list.
Another one of Hughes' teammates, goaltender Thatcher Demko, is a betting favorite as well. The San Diego native already has eight wins through 12 games started this season with a 2.22 goals-against average and two shutouts, which has helped him become the 6-1 favorite at DK to win the Vezina Trophy.
And then there's coach Tocchet, whose positive impact in Vancouver since taking over last January makes him an obvious Coach of the Year candidate. He's the 5-1 favorite at DK to win the Jack Adams Award at the conclusion of the regular season.
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