NHL Vezina Trophy Odds: Thatcher Demko Leading the Pack

The first quarter of the 2023-24 NHL season has been completed, giving us a good look into what to expect from here on out.

As with any season, the award races are wide open and for the taking from a number of different players. It can especially be said about the Vezina Trophy, which has a number of goaltenders vying to be recognized as the best puck-stopper in the league.

Here's a look at the Vezina Trophy odds, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

NHL Vezina Trophy Odds

Thatcher Demko (+600)

There has been no one better than Thatcher Demko this season, and that's why he enters with the best odds of any goalie.

Demko has been huge for the Vancouver Canucks, giving them the stability between the pipes that they've been looking for over the last few years. He's started 15 games, surging to a 10-5-0 record with two shutouts to show for it.

Demko ranks fourth in goals against average (2.18 GAA) and fifth in save percentage (.925 Sv%). He also leads the league is in goals saved above expectation (GSAx), outpacing the rest of the field at 13.02.

It remains to be seen whether Demko -- whose career save percentage is .911 -- can keep up the pace with the Canucks team ahead of him. Vancouver has been able to limit offenses (50.82 Corsi Against per 60 minutes), so if they're the real deal, Demko should be a big reason behind it.

At +600, these very well may be the best odds for Demko the rest of the season.

Jake Oettinger (+650)

Jake Oettinger hasn't had the top-end numbers yet this season, but he certainly can get there -- as the odds suggest.

Oettinger has been a key part of the Dallas Stars' success since becoming their starter, posting strong numbers and starting the majority of their games. The 24-year-old has already started 14 of the 19 games this season for the Stars. They lean on him for big numbers, and if he can strengthen where he already is, it should work out.

Through his 14 starts, Oettinger has posted a 2.71 GAA and a .911 Sv% -- notable as both statistics are higher than his career totals which sit at 2.45 and .916, respectively. The more the Stars lean on him, the more chances he will have to get closer to where he's been before. He has a 2.33 GSAx -- good for 29th in the NHL so far. Seeing that he was eighth last year, he is one to watch as the season progresses

The Stars goaltender is coming off of his toughest game of the season so far, allowing six goals. If he's able to turn it around, his odds could get even shorter.

For now, Demko has better current form, and there are others surging behind him. It might be time to wait.

Connor Hellebuyck (+750)

As a former Vezina Trophy winner, Connor Hellebuyck knows what it takes to get things done.

So far this season, Hellebuyck has put together fine numbers -- a 2.65 GAA and .908 Sv%. After a slow start in the first few weeks, Hellebuyck has really found his game over his last three. He's allowed just four goals while adding his first shutout of the season. With his track record of being the best goalie in the sport, there's reason to believe that he can't keep this trend going.

The record of 10-4-1 won't hurt his chances, either. Hellebuyck has had good numbers on the advanced metrics side of things, too. He has saved 5.37 goals above expectation (15th in the league).

Luckily for Hellebuyck, he has a good defense ahead of him (54.51 Corsi Against per 60 for the Jets) and should only get build from where he is right now. With the Vezina Trophy still being a toss-up, the Jets netminder is a good option at this stage.

Ilya Sorokin (+750)

Can the 2023-24 season be the one where Ilya Sorokin takes home the Vezina Trophy?

It's going to be difficult, but it's not Sorokin's fault. The New York Islanders have struggled this season on the offensive and defensive end. They're scoring the third-fewest goals per 60 minutes (2.50) in the league while allowing the second most opportunities to their opposition, sporting a 70.03 Corsi Against per 60 minutes. That's just a few ticks off of the dreadful San Jose Sharks.

They've been saved by Sorokin, who has a rough GAA that would easily be his career-worst at 2.95. The reason it's not too much of a worry is that he still has a .917 Sv%, which is below his career percentage but still ranks 11th in the NHL.

He's been on his game as much as he can be with the 7.28 goals saved above expectation, which is 10th in the NHL and climbing with every appearance.

While it's apparent he remains one of the league's best goaltenders, his chances of taking home the Vezina Trophy this season are going to be based on how his team performs from here on out. If they can help him out more, it becomes possible. That being said, it sure isn't looking to be the case any time soon after facing 35-plus shots in four straight starts.

It's best to look elsewhere for now.

Igor Shesterkin (+750)

If we want to talk about track record, Igor Shesterkin has maybe the best on this list in terms of recency bias.

The 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner is 8-4-0 with a 2.59 GAA and .914 Sv% over his first 12 starts. He's been benefitting of strong play behind him with former All-Star Jonathan Quick playing his best hockey in years as his backup. This is why there should be good reason to believe in Shesterkin.

Last season, it felt like Shesterkin ran out of steam at times after starting 58 games for the Rangers. He still had an eighth-place finish for the Vezina, but he wasn't nearly as dominant as the year prior.

Shesterkin plays for one of the best teams in the NHL with the New York Rangers. If they're able to keep up their play all season that we've seen through their first 20 games (15-4-1 record), he should be in the running come season's end. A huge reason why Sorokin was snubbed by Linus Ullmark for last year's award was due to team success.

Looking for more NHL betting opportunities? Check out all of the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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