The World Under 20 hockey championship is considered a tournament where 19-year-old players, who have already been drafted, will excel and produce the most points.
But 2013-2014 is different and two undrafted players - one 17, one 16 - are the top betting choices to lead Team Canada in scoring at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Malmo, Sweden.
Sam Reinhart, a consensus top pick for next June's NHL draft, and Connor McDavid, who isn't even eligible to be drafted until the following year, are each 2/1, according to WJC props posted by Sportsbook today.
Another 2014 draft-eligible player, defenceman Aaron Ekblad, is 4/1. He is tied with returning member and No. 3 draft pick Jonathan Drouin. Drouin would be higher on this list but suffered a concussion with his club team, the Halifax Mooseheads. He is expected to play in the tournament, which starts Dec. 26.
His Halifax teammate Zach Fucale is not favored to win the starting goalie job for Team Canada. Jake Patterson of the OHL's London Knights is expected to earn that nod, according to Sportsbook.
And the odds are against two teenagers currently in the NHL from returning to play in the junior tournament. Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sean Monahan of the Calgary Flames are expected to stay put with their NHL teams and the odds reflect that fact.
Overall, Canada is favored to win gold at 7/4, ahead of the Russians. If bettors think Canada will duplicate their disappointing tournament from last year (where they failed to earn a medal), it's a 3/1 bet.
Check out other World Junior props below.
Odds to Win World Junior Hockey Championships
Canada U20 7/4
Russia U20 3/1
Sweden U20 3/1
USA U20 3/1
Finland U20 14/1
Czech Republic U20 25/1
Switzerland U20 40/1
Slovakia U20 100/1
Germany U20 300/1
Norway U20 500/1
Will Team Canada win the gold medal at the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship?
Yes 7/4
No 2/5
Will Team Canada win a medal at the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship?
Yes 1/5
No 3/1
Who will start the first game for Team Canada at the 2014 World Junior Championship?
Jake Patterson -140
Zachary Fucale +100
Will Morgan Rielly play in the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship?
Yes 2/1
No 1/3
Will Sean Monahan play in the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship?
Yes 4/1
No 1/6
Who will finish with the most points at the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship?
Sam Reinhart 2/1
Connor McDavid 2/1
Hunter Shinkaruk 5/2
Jonathan Drouin 4/1
Aaron Ekblad 4/1
Matt Dumba 18/1
