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NHL betting: Is there any hope for the Arizona Coyotes?

(In conjunction with Yahoo Sportsbook, BetMGM is launching in Arizona on Thursday. Arizona customers can click here to create a BetMGM account and start betting! Be sure to check out Yahoo Sportsbook for the most up-to-date analysis and odds for your favorite teams.)

During the shortened season, the Arizona Coyotes finished with a 24-26-6 record. They finished in fifth place in their division, missing the playoffs.

It's been a bizarre offseason for the Coyotes, as they were basically served an eviction notice by the city of Glendale. On the hockey side, they prioritized compiling draft picks for future seasons rather than improving the immediate on-ice product.

During the offseason, Arizona traded away Darcy Kuemper, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Conor Garland and Christian Dvorak. They allowed Alex Goligoski, Derrick Brassard and Michael Bunting to walk in free agency. None of the Coyotes' top three goalies from last season are returning.

Arizona acquired Shayne Gostisbehere, Anton Stralman, Loui Eriksson, Antoine Roussel, Jay Beagle and Andrew Ladd during the offseason. All of these players were salary dumps by their previous teams. Arizona agreed to absorb the money in exchange for draft capital.

Arizona Stanley Cup odds: +15000 (150-to-1)

Arizona currently sits with 150-to-1 odds to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup at the end of the season. The Coyotes find themselves with the same odds as the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks. Only the Buffalo Sabres (200-to-1) have worse odds than the Coyotes.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but oddsmakers are telling you that it's very unlikely. Nevertheless, hockey is a random sport with a lot of variance. For that reason, I won't use the word impossible. Seriously though, I'd save your money. If you still feel the need to back your team, just know you have the equivalent of a lottery ticket.

SAN JOSE, CA - May 8: Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) talk during the San Jose Sharks game versus the Arizona Coyotes on May 8, 2021, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Arizona Coyotes project to be one of the worst teams in the NHL this upcoming season. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Arizona Central Division odds: +15000 (150-to-1)

Arizona's odds to win their division are the exact same odds as their odds to win the Stanley Cup. This probably shouldn't be the case, but it proves how unworried oddsmakers are about this team. Simple math tells you that Arizona should have better odds of winning their division (finishing ahead of seven teams) rather than winning the Cup (finishing ahead of 31 teams).

Nevertheless, neither one is going to happen. All seven other teams in this division have a legitimate argument as to why they could have a successful season. I wouldn't say the same about Arizona.

Colorado won the Presidents Trophy last season. Dallas made it to the Stanley Cup final two seasons ago. St. Louis still has the same core intact as the team who won the Stanley Cup in 2019. Minnesota went 35-16-5 last season. Winnipeg and Nashville both made the playoffs last season. Chicago has a budding young core and they just acquired Marc-Andre Fleury.

The Coyotes? They've all but punted on the season.

Norris Trophy: Jakob Chychrun +3500 (35-to-1)

The Norris Trophy is awarded to the league's best defenseman. Over recent years, the award has evolved into recognizing the league's best offensive defenseman. This is good news for Jakob Chychrun of the Coyotes.

Chychrun led all NHL defensemen in goals last season. In the shortened 56-game season, Chychrun scored 18 goals. He was one of only 11 defensemen in the league to eclipse 40 points. With the departure of Ekman-Larsson and Goligoski, Chychrun should get even more responsibility. Chychrun had 27 points at even strength last season, tied for fifth best amongst all defensemen. If he gets more opportunities with the powerplay, Chychrun's production could increase.

The Norris is also an award that voters aren't against giving to a player on a losing team. Just last season, Adam Fox won the award despite his New York Rangers missing the playoffs.

If you're looking to get involved with the Coyotes in some way, Jakob Chychrun to win the Norris at 35-1 is my favorite way to do that.