What each NHL team should wish for this holiday season

It’s Christmas! While the NHL is taking a much-needed holiday break, here’s what we believe each team should wish for this season.

It is, as Andy Williams would say, the holiday season. The NHL is in the midst of a few day break, giving teams, players and coaches the chance to rest and spend their time with loved ones. Us here at FanSided are doing the same, but we thought we’d drop you some holiday content to tide you over for the break.

The 2019-20 hockey season is nearly halfway over, with the NHL’s three-day holiday break settling as a nice stopping point for reflection after a wild few months. This season, we’ve seen the biggest trade deadline rental Taylor Hall get moved before the new year, five separate head coaches fired over the course of a few week span and much more. It’s been a hectic season thus far, for some teams more than others.

Though the NHL is taking some time off, we brought you some holiday content to feast on while you’re enjoying your few days of rest. Here are the things each of the 31 NHL teams should wish for this holiday season.

Anaheim Ducks: Some offense would be nice to help out John Gibson in net. Please … help him, Ducks.

Arizona Coyotes: A nice, lengthy extension for their shiny new toy, Taylor Hall.

Boston Bruins: The Bruins are having a stellar year, but their 0-4 record in the shootout this season is mystifying considering the talent makeup of their team. A better shootout record in 2020 won’t make them any more unstoppable than they already are, but it’s worth a shot!

Buffalo Sabres: Fans in Buffalo already know how fun the Sabres have been this season, but getting some respect from the national media might help their cause.

Calgary Flames: That Milan Lucic’s penalty minutes (34) and his point total (8) could be swapped after half of the season.

Carolina Hurricanes: More Andrei Svechnikov lacrosse goals, please?

Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks are likely cooked for the season, but seeing more of Robin Lehner over Corey Crawford in net wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Colorado Avalanche: Don’t worry, Nathan MacKinnon is a Hart Trophy candidate in our books. Sadly we have no influence over the award, so we’ll have to stick with wishing instead.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Columbus likely isn’t getting to the postseason, but here’s to hoping the team stops losing games by just one goal.

Dallas Stars: Tailgating will now be allowed at the Winter Classic, so go wild Stars fans. Enjoy that outdoor game madness this season, as you may not get another shot at one if the NHL has anything to say about it.

Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings will likely have the best odds for the NHL’s upcoming draft lottery. Let’s hope for Detroit’s sake that the odds are in their favor.

Edmonton Oilers: If Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can stay healthy, the Oilers have a chance for a playoff run. If not well, their postseason dreams may be dashed.

Florida Panthers: The Panthers playoff hopes ride or die on the shoulders of Sergei Bobrovsky in net, so hopefully he’s figured out his problems for the second half of the 2019-20 season.

Los Angeles Kings: Ilya Kovalchuk’s time in Los Angeles is over, but the Kings will need more than the removal of an aging player to help them turn around their negative-20 goal differential.

Minnesota Wild: Minnesota has put up a fight in recent weeks, yet will need their goaltending to be better than the .903 save percentage average they’ve gotten so far this year.

Montreal Canadiens: Getting Jonathan Drouin back from injury as fast as possible would be a lovely pick-me-up for a Canadiens team in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Nashville Predators: The Predators’ goaltending has been a mess, but getting Kyle Turris back on track after being scratched for seven straight games could help the struggling Nashville team.

New Jersey Devils: A time machine to speed forward through the rest of the 2019-20 season. At least there’s so much good television on nowadays!

New York Islanders: The Islanders could use a bit of their November point streak magic back as the team has cooled off a bit in recent weeks. Nothing too drastic, but the team has clearly settled back to earth.

New York Rangers: Kaapo Kakko’s rookie season has not gone the way many fans wanted it to, but there’s still half a season left for the young player to turn it around.

Ottawa Senators: Wishing for a new owner has been on Senators’ fans Christmas lists since the start of the millennium.

Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers could use some injury relief, as the team has been battered with injuries — and a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis to young forward Oskar Lindblom — over the last few weeks.

Pittsburgh Penguins: A returning Sidney Crosby to the Penguins’ patchwork lineup would be a blessing, but the team may honestly not need him with the way they’re playing.

Saint Louis Blues: Contrasting where the Blues are now — first in the Central Division and top of the Western Conference — versus last year’s last place spot showcases quite a difference. A second straight Stanley Cup could very well be in the cards.

San Jose Sharks: Better goaltending will keep the Sharks in the playoff hunt, as while their start to the season was disastrous there’s still a chance they can pull through.

Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning have played better as of late, but improving upon their 9-7-1 record at home may help net them some desperately needed points.

Toronto Maple Leafs: A cloning machine so Auston Mathews can continue to do Auston Matthews things.

Vancouver Canucks: Getting back in the win column should no doubt be a wish for Canucks fans, as Vancouver has lost five of their last six games.

Vegas Golden Knights: A backup goaltender to help Marc-Andre Fleury would be a great get for the Golden Knights this holiday season.

Washington Capitals: Being one of the NHL’s best, it’s hard to want for much if you’re a Capitals fan. Washington did, however, get another dog for Christmas, so good for them!

Winnipeg Jets: That an answer to the Dustin Byfuglien saga comes sooner rather than later, so both sides can make up and if needed, go their separate ways.