Anyone watching the World Junior Hockey Championships has seen a small glimpse into the future of the sport.
Whether it’s the 19 first-round draft picks on Team Canada, or players like Trevor Zegras from USA, hockey fans are witnessing players next in line to become professionals.
One player that has turned the tournament inside out is Germany’s Tim Stutzle. The first-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators has been lighting up the goal lamp and scoresheet, despite being on a mediocre team.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 31st, 7:30 P.M. (EST)
Online bookmaker BetOnline has Stutzle at +2000 to win the Calder
The fact that Stutzle is a top player in the tournament for a rather weak team shows how strong of a player he is. Destined to be a top player in the NHL, Stutzle should make an immediate impact in the Senators’ lineup.
However, bookmakers aren’t siding with Stutzle to win the Calder Trophy for the league’s best rookie. Despite showcasing his talents against the world’s best, Stutzle is down the line in betting odds.
Listed at +2000, Stutzle’s odds don’t rival top players like number one draft pick Alexis Lafreniere or Quinton Byfield.
There are a number of top prospects ahead of Stutzle, so it will be interesting to see how top players like Alex Turcotte, Grigori Denisenko, and Igor Shesterkin’s seasons pan out.
One factor that may affect Stutzle’s ability to win the Calder is playing for the lowly Senators. While he may be one of the best players on the team, he isn’t surrounded by top talent.
With lesser skilled teammates, Stutzle may struggle unlike his peers in the Calder race.
