NHL on Thanksgiving: One Thing Each Team Has to Be Thankful for

If you're American or live with Americans or just celebrate American holidays, you'll be celebrating Thanksgiving this week.

While the holiday has become about gorging on large amounts of food, particularly turkey, the real sentiment of the holiday is to give thanks.

In that spirit, let's take a look at what each NHL team is thankful for this time of year. 

Anaheim Ducks: Teemu Selanne

Teemu Selanne decided to return for at least another season with the Anaheim Ducks following a successful 2010-11 campaign.

He scored 80 points last season with 31 goals, his highest point total since the 2005-06 season.

The Ducks should be thankful that Selanne decided to return for another year, as he currently leads the team in points, scoring 18 in 19 games.

Not too shabby for a 41-year-old. 

Boston Bruins: Tyler Seguin

The Boston Bruins earned the right to select Tyler Seguin No. 2 overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He had a respectable rookie campaign, scoring 22 points.

This season, though, he's really coming into his own.

Seguin has scored almost as many points in 18 games this season as he did all last season. He currently leads the team in points with 21. 

Those 21 points include 11 goals, as many as he scored last season. 

No sophomore slump for Seguin. 

Buffalo Sabres: Thomas Vanek

Thomas Vanek is off to a hot start with the Buffalo Sabres, currently leading the team with 24 points.

Those 24 points also include 11 goals.

If he keeps at it, he's on his way to outscoring his previous total from last season, when he scored 73 points.

Calgary Flames: Curtis Glencross

When you think of the Calgary Flames, Curtis Glencross may not be the first name that comes to mind. 

This season though, Glencross is working to change that, having already scored seven goals in 17 games. 

If he keeps at this pace, he'll outscore the 24 goals he scored last season.

Altogether, Glencross currently has 12 points this season—one point behind Alex Tanguay, the Flames point leader. 

Carolina Hurricanes: Jeff Skinner

Last season, Jeff Skinner garnered a lot of attention during his Calder Trophy-winning 2010-11 season. Skinner scored 63 points, including 31 goals.

The rookie sensation has turned into a sophomore sensation, too.

Skinner currently leads the Carolina Hurricanes in points and goals, with 20 and eight respectively. 

Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews

Every season he's been in the league, the Chicago Blackhawks give thanks for having Jonathan Toews leading their team.

This season is no exception.

Toews is off to another hot start, leading the team in goals with 10. He's just a couple points behind Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, who leads the team in points.

Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene

The Colorado Avalanche are the second to last in their division and in the bottom third of the league in scoring, giving them little to be thankful for at the moment.

What they are thankful for, though, is having Matt Duchene on their team.

The young star leads the team in points and goals with 16 and nine, respectively.  

Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Nash

The Columbus Blue Jackets are the worst team in the league right now, with only four wins out of 19 games.

Needless to say, they're not feeling too thankful at the moment.

The shining light on the team, though, is Rick Nash, as he has been his entire career.

Nash is off to another good start (even better considering the team's start), scoring 14 points in the team's 19 games. 

Dallas Stars: Jamie Benn

The Dallas Stars have a lot to be thankful for, especially their hot start and their success—even without Brad Richards on the roster anymore.

Another thing they're thankful for: Jamie Benn.

Benn's had respectable seasons his previous two in the league, but this season, he's emerging as a top star.

He has 19 points in 19 games, on pace for an even greater season than his previous two.  

Detroit Red Wings: Nicklas Lidstrom

The Detroit Red Wings are thankful, as always, to still have captain and top defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom leading their team.

Although Lidstrom was considering retirement, he returned for another year.

In addition to being a top defenseman (and positioning himself to tie Bobby Orr's record of most Norris trophies with his eight at the end of this season), Lidstrom is among the team leaders in scoring with 14 at the moment.

Edmonton Oilers: Nikolai Khabibulin

The Edmonton Oilers have a lot to be thankful for this year too, including rookie sensation Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

What they should be most thankful for, though, is the resurgence of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, who is off to an amazing start.

After finishing last season with a save percentage under .900 and GAA over 3.00, Khabibulin has made an incredible comeback.

His save percentage is currently .938, third-best in the league, and his GAA is currently 1.76, second-best in the league. 

Pretty impressive numbers for a guy who wasn't sure he had a starting job at the beginning of training camp. 

Florida Panthers: Kris Versteeg

The Florida Panthers are thankful for finally having a good season, a season where they've emerged as contenders challenging the Washington Capitals for the top spot in the Southeast Division, a race they currently lead. 

One of the reasons they've been so successful has been new roster addition Kris Versteeg.

Versteeg had a disappointing 2010-11 season, but he's bounced back so far with the Panthers, scoring 22 points and nine goals.

Los Angeles Kings: Mike Richards

The Los Angeles Kings are thankful to have Anze Kopitar on their team, as they always are, since he leads the team in scoring.

This year, though, they should also be thankful for the addition of Mike Richards, who isn't too far behind Kopitar in the scoring department at the moment.

Richards has 16 points in 20 games, including eight goals. 

If Richards keeps at this pace, he'll outscore last year's totals considerably. His totals also helps the team be more successful, without placing all the burden on Kopitar's shoulders. 

Minnesota Wild: Josh Harding

The Minnesota Wild are the third-lowest scoring team in the league, but they currently sit atop the Northwest Division.

This is mostly thanks to goaltender Josh Harding.

Harding is currently second in the league in save percentage with .945 and is currently third in the league in GAA with 1.79. 

Without Harding's excellent play, the team certainly wouldn't lead the Northwest at the moment. 

Montreal Canadiens: Max Pacioretty

The Montreal Canadiens (not to mention Montreal fans and plenty of family, friends and loved ones) are thankful that Max Pacioretty has made a full recovery after his scary injury last season.

Not only has Pacioretty returned, but he's off to a hot start, too.

He currently has 17 points—including nine goals—in 20 games. He's on pace for a career year this season. 

Nashville Predators: Shea Weber

The Nashville Predators are again thankful for having Shea Weber leading their team. (Or, perhaps they should be thankful for restricted free agency and the arbitration system keeping him on their team.)

Arbitrators determined that Weber was worth a hefty price tag, and Weber continues to show that he's worth that money.

Weber currently has 14 points this season and leads the league in plus/minus rating, at a +19.  

New Jersey Devils: Zach Parise and Patrik Elias

The New Jersey Devils have multiple things to be thankful for this season.

First of all, they should be thankful for having Zach Parise back healthy and leading their team as captain.

Secondly, they should be thankful for team points leader Patrik Elias, who has 18 points in as many games this season.

New York Islanders: John Tavares

As the worst team in the Eastern Conference and the second worst team in the entire NHL, the New York Islanders are feeling thankful for much at the moment.

One thing to be thankful for, though, is John Tavares.

Even on the low-scoring and losing team, Tavares has 16 points in 17 games.

New York Rangers: Marian Gaborik

The New York Rangers have been on a hot streak, going 7-2-1 in their past 10 games, so they have a lot to be thankful for at the moment.

One of the things they're thankful for is Marian Gaborik.

Gaborik leads the team in points, scoring 15 in 17 games thus far.  

Ottawa Senators: Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza

Times may seem bleak for the Ottawa Senators, but they still have some things to be thankful for this year.

First, the hot start of Milan Michalek. Michalek leads the team and is second in the league in goals with 12.

Secondly, they still have Jason Spezza, who leads the team in points with 19 in 20 games.

Philadelphia Flyers: Claude Giroux

The Philadelphia Flyers are another team with a lot to be thankful for at the moment, including the lead in the Atlantic Division as well as the Eastern Conference.

A large contributing factor to their successful season is Claude Giroux.

Giroux is second in the league in points with 26 in 19 games.

He's on his way to a career year in scoring.  

Phoenix Coyotes: Radim Vrbata

Radim Vrbata is one of the Phoenix Coyotes leading scorers so far this season.

He currently leads the team in goals with eight, and is tied for the lead in points with 15.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby

The Pittsburgh Penguins will get their Christmas early this year, with Sidney Crosby returning tonight against the New York Islanders.

The team's successful start and the hot play of James Neal are great, but the return of Crosby is what they're most thankful for this time of year. 

San Jose Sharks: Joe Pavelski

Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks is off to a fast start this year.

He currently leads the team in goals and points with 11 and 19, respectively, in 18 games.

Additionally, his 11 goals are good for fourth in the league in goals, at the moment.  

St. Louis Blues: Brian Elliott

The St. Louis Blues are thankful for a few things, including their new head coach Ken Hitchcock, but what they're most thankful for is goaltender Brian Elliott.

After a few rough seasons, including last year when his save percentage was under .900 and his GAA was over 3.00 for both the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche, Elliott has bounced back.

He currently leads the league in both save percentage and GAA at .947 and 1.43, respectively. 

Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos

The Tampa Bay Lightning are thankful for Steven Stamkos, who has a new contract and has gotten to work, leading the team in goals and points.

Stamkos has 19 points in 19 games, including 11 goals.

His 11 goals are good for No. 4 in the league in goals, a ranking that he's sure to move up as the season goes on.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Phil Kessel

The Toronto Maple Leafs are thankful for their successful start to the 2010-11 season, vying for the lead in the Northeast Division after disappointing finishes the past few seasons.

One of the primary factors of their success has been Phil Kessel.

Kessel leads the team and league in goals and points with 16 and 29, respectively, in 21 games.

Vancouver Canucks: Sedin Twins

The Vancouver Canucks are thankful, as usual, for the Sedin twins this time of the year.

The Sedins lead the team in points and goals, each with six goals at the moment.

Meanwhile, Daniel has 24 points and a league-leading 18 assists. Henrik currently has 22 points.

Washington Capitals: Nicklas Backstrom

The Washington Capitals have had some ups and downs this season, but one of the high points has been Nicklas Backstrom.

Backstrom currently leads the team in points, scoring 20 points in 18 games.

Winnipeg Jets: Evander Kane

The Winnipeg Jets are thankful to have a new home in Winnipeg this year, and the city of Winnipeg is thankful to have them.

They're also thankful for young star Evander Kane.

Kane leads the team in goals and is one point behind the lead in points, with eight goals and 14 points so far.