Auston Matthews had a great season last year, but he wasn’t even in the top 10 in MVP voting last season. However, at least one betting site is buying in on the hype.
Phil Kessel explained earlier this summer that the second year is always harder, but some people are expecting even more out of the young Leafs team. If Auston Matthews is expected to compete for MVP voting, the team as a whole will definitely need to take a step forward and Matthews will be the driving force.
The first two on the list go in the order that you would expect: Connor McDavid is first and Sidney Crosby is second.
Here’s the full list:
Connor McDavid (EDM) 3/2
Sidney Crosby (PIT) 5/2
Auston Matthews (TOR) 17/2
Alex Ovechkin (WAS) 9/1
Patrick Kane (CHI) 14/1
Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) 15/1
Evgeni Malkin (PIT) 16/1
Carey Price (MON) 20/1
John Tavares (NYI) 20/1
Jamie Benn (DAL) 25/1
Steven Stamkos (TB) 25/1
Erik Karlsson (OTT) 33/1
Nikita Kucherov (TB) 33/1
Jack Eichel (BUF) 50/1
Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) 50/1
Patrik Laine (WPG) 50/1
Brad Marchand (BOS) 50/1
Tyler Seguin (DAL) 50/1
Nicklas Backstrom (WAS) 60/1
Brent Burns (SJ) 60/1
Braden Holtby (WAS) 60/1
Phil Kessel (PIT) 60/1
Artemi Panarin (CHI) 60/1
Joe Pavelski (SJ) 60/1
Via: Bodog
Another name that stands out is Ovechkin (4th), who also finished outside of the top 10 last season and wasn’t even in the top two on his team. Both Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby finished ahead of him and he’s only getting older.
If those 50 goal seasons are going to come back, will need to start shooting more again or put up a ridiculous shooting percent.
Erik Karlsson is probably the best bet of the bunch, as he finished fifth in last year’s voting, is widely considered the best defenceman in the NHL (Especially after his playoff performance). Unless Ottawa has a significant drop off next season, he should definitely be in the running for league MVP.
