Updated #NHL Norris Trophy odds for best defenseman (via Bodog): Brent Burns and John Carlson tabbed as co-favorites, with a cohort of the usual contenders close behind.
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Giordano, Rittich among oddsmaker award contenders
Photo credit: Sergei Belski/USA Today Sports
We’re almost a third of the way through the 2018-19 schedule and the awards races are becoming a little bit clearer. As such, the oddsmakers at Bodog have updated their projections for the big NHL awards and a couple Calgary Flames are among the big contenders for hardware.
The 35-year-old Giordano is seemingly ageless, as he’s managed to push his way into the Norris conversation as he’s progressed through his 30s. Since becoming Flames captain in 2013-14 at the age of 30, he’s finished in the following spots in the Norris balloting:
- 2013-14: 10th
- 2014-15: 6th
- 2015-16: 13th
- 2016-17: 8th
- 2017-18: 16th
He has 24 points in 27 games to start this season.
Updated #NHL Vezina Trophy odds for best goalie (via Bodog): Pekka Rinne seeks repeat, but he's got plenty of competition -- including David Rittich, who began the season as Calgary's backup. In fact, four goalies who started the season as backups (or lower) are in the running.
Arguably the bigger odds shock is the presence of David Rittich near the top of Vezina Trophy favourites. He’s 8-2-1 with a 2.21 goals against average and .924 save percentage through his first 13 games of this season, with his underlying numbers outshining Mike Smith in the Flames’ net so far.
According to Bodog, the Flames are also the leading contender to win the Pacific Division crown and in the mix to win the Western Conference playoff pennant.
For the curious, the Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on the Hart, Norris, Selke, Masterton, Lady Byng, All-Star and All-Rookie Teams. The NHL Broadcasters Association votes on the Jack Adams Award, while the league’s general managers vote on the Vezina Trophy.
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