1 Holiday Gift For Every NHL Team in 2024
The holiday season is upon us, and many trades were made before the Dec. 19-28 annual roster freeze. Now players know where they'll be for the holidays and slates are winding down ahead of the NHL's Christmas break.
Have you considered what present to get your favorite team for the holidays yet? We have a few ideas.
Anaheim Ducks: Time Machine
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This team should be better than it is right now.
No one expects the Ducks to make the postseason or approach the playoff bubble, but they have pieces at every position that have been great at times. In a few years, everything will click.
Expect a trade of pending UFA Frank Vatrano closer to the deadline if Anaheim doesn't make an unlikely run toward the playoffs.
Boston Bruins: Gold Star
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I'm not prepared to say the Boston Bruins have fully turned their season around. A -18 goal difference is proof positive that this recent good run might just be a mirage.
They've had some troubling recent losses and obvious holes. But scoring is up since Joe Sacco took over, and they're 7-3-1 in their last 10. You're doing it, maybe!
Buffalo Sabres: Coal
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They seem fine with doing nothing and getting nothing in return.
There's really not much else to say about this team. They're in the battle of the No. 1 pick at the 2025 NHL Draft and their playoff drought will continue.
But, hey. The Bills are good!
Calgary Flames: Ability to Close Out a Tight Game
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We all wanted to believe in you, and you keep closely blowing it. The defensive collapses are tough to watch, but they're expected given the roster. *Shrugs*
Still, it's been a better-than-expected season for a team that no one thought would be competing to get in the playoffs.
Carolina Hurricanes: Leash for Pyotr Kochetkov
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Stay in the net, King.
Nevertheless, a strong last start for the Canes' young goaltender for the future.
Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard Revenge Tour
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OK, I wouldn't call a post-Luke Richardson hot streak a revenge tour. People love playing for the former Chicago head coach, and he's a good guy.
But he's a good guy who, for some reason, put Bedard in some puzzling lineup situations.
Chicago has won three in a row under interim coach Anders Sorensen and maybe things are finally starting to turn around.
Colorado Avalanche: Improvement in Net
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You've got to respect the hustle from management to actually change the horrendous goaltending situation. We'll see how Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood play out in the forest.
Columbus Blue Jackets: An Adam Fantilli Hot Streak
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Fantilli finally broke his drought with a goal against the Lightning earlier this week. Perhaps this starts the turnaround on his sophomore slump?
Dallas Stars: A True Hooper
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Imagine this Stars team with, like, Leon Draisaitl. Thanks and sorry.
The Central Division looks to be a scrap and you'd expect general manager Jim Nill to look for reinforcements closer to the deadline.
Detroit Red Wings: A Veteran Winger in His Actual Prime
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Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are not the ones leading this team to the playoffs in 2025, and it's not their fault.
The Yzerplan is in peril and it may be another season of playoff-less hockey in Detroit.
Edmonton Oilers: A Pinch of Depth
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The Oilers' five-on-five scoring metrics are as hilarious as you'd expect them to be with their top-heaviness. While it's astounding that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can do it all, it shouldn't have to be the norm.
Florida Panthers: A Chill Pill
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You'd think the sky was falling when the reigning Stanley Cup champs lost back-to-back shutouts last week. But they bounced back for a dramatic win over the surging Oilers, and suddenly everything is dandy again.
Los Angeles Kings: An Identity
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The Kings are obviously good, and their latest win streak was encouraging when it comes to creating a true identity and/or unflappability. I still struggle with their losses against bad teams and their inability to get out of the first round, though.
At least Anze Kopitar is the gift that keeps on giving.
Minnesota Wild: A Vibe Check
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The Wild have been the best team in the league at times, but they also got lit up 6-1 to the Panthers and 7-1 to the Oilers recently. Are we all good, here? Don't make me turn this car around.
Montreal Canadiens: A Few More Games Against the Sabres
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You've already gifted yourselves one of the best stories in the NHL this season with Patrik Laine's return. Don't we all want to be a team at the bottom of the league with a game against the Buffalo Sabres on deck?
Nashville Predators: A Fun Experience
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GM Barry Trotz keeps saying the team is all-in and is not considering a rebuild. He seems serious, so it's time for us to sit back and enjoy the ride.
New Jersey Devils: The Jacob Markstrom From First 2 Games of the Season
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Remember that opening season series against Buffalo, where Markstrom looked like the best goaltender alive? It turns out the Sabres really stink.
As for Markstrom, he's had his ups and downs that haven't been terrible for the Metro-leading Devils. But he hasn't been living up to the true potential we're constantly hoping he has as a potentially elite goaltender.
The Devils are heating up and he's doing fine, though, so it would be wonderful if it happens during the playoffs.
New York Islanders: Have We Not Given Them Enough?
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The Islanders have seven loser points, so at least they're leading the league in something.
New York Rangers: A Gift Card to Times Square Margaritaville
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Not even Santa can figure out what the Rangers want and/or need, or where they're going. Perhaps Jimmy Buffett has the answers.
Ottawa Senators: a Goalie Hug for Linus Ullmark
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Linus Ullmark is having himself a merry little December, folks, and it's made all the difference.
Philadelphia Flyers: A Hoverboard for Torts
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John Tortorella hobbling around the bench amid the uncalled penalty controversy will never not crack me up.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Nothing
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You traded P.O. Joseph away, and now you're taking him away from his brother days before Christmas. Kinda cruel.
San Jose Sharks: We Owe You
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This behind-the-scenes clip of their iconic return to the Christmas jam gave me the biggest smile I've had in weeks. This is a bad team that gets it. We need more bad teams who get it.
Seattle Kraken: Kaapo Kakko
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Oh no, did we ruin the surprise?
The Kakko trade was a nice low-risk, high-reward move for Seattle. Will he thrive in a new environment? Time will tell.
St. Louis Blues: A Better Winter Classic Jersey
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The font is spectacular, but come on, we can do better than this.
Tampa Bay Lightning: A Break
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The Lightning have had the most difficult schedule in the league to start the season. It's slowing down, but it's been a doozy, and now we're going to see if they can develop true consistency with an easier slate ahead.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Amulet for Anthony Stolarz
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Goaltender Anthony Stolarz has been a crucial part of the success that just feels different—sturdier, more reliably defensively—this year for the Leafs. Now he's out for six to eight weeks. It stinks, and maybe John Tavares should hook him up with a healing amulet to help him get through it ASAP.
Utah Hockey Club: A Bigger Suite
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Utah owner Ryan Smith gave away hundreds of tickets to last week's game against Vancouver. The idea and the interest were awesome. It was pretty adorable that he thought he would only be giving away his eight suite seats but got more than 700 responses.
Vancouver Canucks: Something Really Normal and Useful
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What's the hockey equivalent to a really nice pair of socks you aren't thrilled with at the time but realize have kept your feet warm for the past three years? Our dear Canucks could always use something like that.
Vegas Golden Knights: Wrapping Paper for Mark Stone for the Playoffs
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Mark Stone has returned from injury, and his early dominance was one of the most fun parts of the entire NHL season. He (along with Tomas Hertl, Jack Eichel and Co.) gave the Golden Knights one of their best-ever power play stretches. He could get a career points year, and no matter your opinions on Vegas, everyone would love to see that.
Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin Return
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Alex Ovechkin has been on the shelf with a fractured left fibula ever since last month. And yet the Caps have turned it on and are right there in the Metropolitan Division chase.
Oh, wait. You're telling me Ovi is close to returning?
Christmas has come early, Caps fans!
Winnipeg Jets: Some Respect for Kyle Connor
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Yeah, yeah, yeah. We know Connor Hellebuyck is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, if not the best one. But how about some love for Kyle Connor?
He's on the Team USA 4 Nations roster and has 42 points in 34 games. Time to give the 28-year-old some flowers.
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