An NHL Christmas List

Yuletide yearnings are not just for the youngsters of the world. NHL teams have needs too. I'm sure that if every GM were to sit down and write Papa Noel a letter, these would be their top items:

Anaheim Ducks: A team cure for schizophrenia. It's truly a terrible epidemic when players on the team are the best in the league some nights, and the worst the very next.

Atlanta Thrashers: A decent center who can keep up with and feed the puck to Ilya Kovalchuk(Santa has repeatedly ignored this request for the past handful of years).

Boston Bruins: Need nothing. They are the most fun team in the NHL to watch, and catching one of their games is like a Christmas present for all of us.

Buffalo Sabres: Craig Rivet to come back off IR. The Sabres are awesome, but are in desperate need of their captain's veteran presence.

Calgary Flames: The ghost of Mikka Kiprusoff's past. The perennially top-5 goalie has been so-so this whole year. Unfortunately, so has the rest of the team.

Carolina Hurricanes: A big defenseman who can strike fear into the hearts of opponents and make the front of the net more than just a sitting area for opposing teams.

Chicago Blackhawks: A taker for Nikolai Khabibulin. He's been the better goalie over newly-acquired Cristobal Huet, but the Hawks seem intent on going with the latter in the long run. With the way the 'Bulin Wall has been playing of late, the Hawks could get that top-flight 2nd line center they've been looking for.

Colorado Avalanche: Nikolai Khabibulin. Pure and simple. Do whatever it takes, short of trading Paul Stastny, Ian Laperriere or Adam Foote (and Joe Sakic goes without saying).

Columbus Blue Jackets: Throw these guys a freaking bone! Almost every major player has been out for some amount of time with injuries. With super-rookie Derek Brassard now out for the season, the liklihood of the Jackets making the playoffs for the first time looks pretty dim.

Dallas Stars: They already gave themselves a christmas present by dumping Sean Avery.

Detroit Red Wings: A private investigator to find where Chris Osgood went. Backup Ty Conklin has looked much better than Osgood during multiple games this season. Also, the Wings need to do themselves the favor of just being done with Chelios.

Edmonton Oilers: Healthy goalies and consistent players. If Santa could just give these guys an extra 5% boost in terms of talent and ability, they'd be awesome.

Florida Panthers: Some SCORING. With the play of Tomas Vokoun and Craig Anderson, the Panthers suddenly have one of the best (if not the BEST) goaltending tandem in the league. They also have the luxury of a sturdy defensive unit(again, one of the league's best). But, to win hockey games, you have to score a few goals, and that's where the Cats are coming up short.

Los Angeles Kings: Goaltender. This team should also be doing everything they can to pry Nikolai Khabibulin from the Hawks.

Minnesota Wild: To trade Marian Gaborik and get something good in return. The chances of him leaving after the season are very likely, so the obvious choice would be to trade him before the deadline and get some real talent (preferably a center) in return. The big question now is if Gabby's injury problems will cheapen his value in the eyes of other teams.

Montreal Canadiens: Someone to teach players that when a team is on the power play, the purpose is to SCORE goals.

Nashville Predators: A market. This has been one of the most consistent teams in the league over the past four years. They are always competitive, but playing in small-market Nashville is really causing financial problems for the team.

New Jersey Devils: Just let Marty Brodeur rest this Christmas. No hurry to rush him back with Scott Clemmenson (who knew?) playing this well.

New York Islanders: Rick DiPietro. I have a feeling just having him back would drastically turn around the fortunes of this team.

New York Rangers: A little more depth. The team is very top-heavy in terms of forwards, meaning their top two lines are formidable. That being said, a couple more talented muckers and grinders on the 3rd and 4th lines would help add some sandpaper to the team.

Ottawa Senators: Some life, and some goaltending. The two actually go hand in hand. Alex Auld has played admirably, but isn't cut out for the starting job, while "starter" Martin Gerber has been a waste. The woes at the goaltending position have sucked the life out of this once-great team.

Philadelphia Flyers: A strong offensive defenseman. Kimmo Timmonen is normally awesome, but has shown he can't carry all the offensive load. Matt Carle may yet to prove he is an early Christmas present, but time will tell.

Phoenix Coyotes: Their super-sophs to contribute. The Yotes are getting 110% from their vets (Doan, Jovanovski, Morris, even Jokinen to a degree), but very little from "future" guys like Peter Mueller, Martin Hanzal, and Daniel Carcillo.

Pittsburgh: Their d-men back. With Gonchar, Whitney, and Gill all out with injuries, the Pens have really had to buckle down. The positive in this is that even their fill-ins have played great, meaning the Pens will have a wealth of tradeable defensemen at the trade deadline and should be able to make a big move (Marian Gaborik, anyone?...).

St. Louis Blues: Like the Jackets, these guys just need a freaking break. Losing projected savior Erik Johnson to an injury before the season has destroyed this team, as has the slew of other injuries, including Paul Kariya, who may now miss the rest of the season.

San Jose Sharks: Uhhh... Nothing. Just sit back and watch this well-rounded team work it's magic.

Tampa Bay Lightning: A re-start for the whole season. The team needs new owners, a new GM, and new players. Drop EVERYONE except Stamkos and Mike Smith (yes, trade Lecavalier and St. Louis) and start COMPLETELY over.

Toronto Maple Leafs: An established scorer. The Leafs have played remarkably well sans an established superstar. If they could sign one big name - preferably a center - it could put them back in the playoff hunt.

Vancouver Canucks: The surprising Canucks could use some offensive firepower from the blueline, and also a healthy Roberto Luongo.

Washington Capitals. A little consistency. If they can get the same effort night in and night out from the whole team, the Caps are suddenly cup contenders.