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PHT Oddsmaker: Let’s gamble on the NHL

Phoenix Coyotes v Detroit Red Wings - Game Two

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 16: Kyle Turris #91 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates with the puck while playing the Detroit Red Wings in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on April 16, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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PHT Oddsmaker will be a regular feature where we set pretend odds and pretend to gamble on them. If you’d like to bet real money, meet us in the alley and we’ll talk.

Odds Kyle Turris will be traded by Dec. 1 (+200)

Turris wants to be traded. The Coyotes want to keep him. If he doesn’t sign an NHL contract by Dec. 1, he can’t play for the rest of the season. The question is, will either side fold by then? Here’s Coyotes GM Dan Maloney: “Under no circumstances whatsoever – and I’m not sure what language I have to (use) – we will not trade Kyle Turris this season.” Doesn’t sound like Maloney’s bluffing. Then again, every man has his price, and he’d be doing his club a disservice if he didn’t listen to offers. I just don’t think he’ll get one he can’t refuse. Maloney isn’t about to be browbeaten into anything by a 22-year-old kid that’s done nothing in the NHL. Not unless the return is massive.

Odds no player will score 100 or more points in 2011-12 (+300)

The last time nobody reached the century mark was 2003-04, when Martin St. Louis won the Art Ross Trophy with 94 points. Current scoring leader Phil Kessel is on pace for 120 points, but I don’t see him reaching 100. The most likely to hit the mark are Daniel Sedin (on pace for 98), Henrik Sedin (98) and Nicklas Backstrom (120). All three have done it before. But…I just can’t pass up +300. Those are great odds considering Daniel Sedin was the only player to break the 100-point barrier in 2010-11, and he only got 104.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year (-110) versus the field (-110)

Nugent-Hopkins is the most recognizable name of the first-year players. He’s also the current scoring leader with 12 points in 14 games. If the vote were today, he’d win. That said, I can’t pick RNH over the field. Not at this point in the season, and not with so many other candidates. Among the other 18-year-olds in the running, Gabriel Landeskog, Adam Larsson and Sean Couturier are each playing big roles on their teams. Then there are the older rookies. Buffalo’s Luke Adam is 21 with a full season of pro hockey under his belt. Philly’s Matt Read is 25. Never drafted. Played four years of college hockey. Classic late bloomer. I’ll take all those guys versus one guy, even if he’s really good.