Toronto Maple Leafs: Santa Claus’s Gift for Every NHL Team

Central Division

Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes would love to see their top line winger, Nick Schmaltz, return to early season form. He began this campaign playing incredibly well, but as quickly as he caught fire, he cooled off even faster. The ‘Yotes aren’t getting Schmaltz’s mojo back. Instead, they’re receiving something much better, a permanent home for the team.

The process is already in motion. The Tempe City Council already voted to approve the proposed arena and an entertainment district. The measure passed with unanimous support. This is significant progress for Tempe to become the permanent home for the Coyotes. Santa’s gift is to ensure that the residents of the city vote to approve the measure once it goes to a local referendum on May 16.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks aren’t going to make the playoffs and even Santa Claus’s magic isn’t strong enough to help them this season. That’s why he’s giving them something better, the chance to have a real fire sale. The Blackhawks’ gift is for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to both waive their no-movement clauses in order to be among the biggest trade targets at this year’s NHL deadline. This will help the Blackhawks kick-start their rebuild.

Colorado Avalanche

The reigning Champions, the Colorado Avalanche, have not looked like the powerhouse they were last season. A big part of that has been injuries. However, as the team begins to once again get healthy, their biggest concern turns to depth.

The Avs present this year is a true NHL fourth line. There are players who have spent time playing in Colorado who are better suited for their AHL farm team, the Colorado Eagles. They include the likes of former Leafs center and reclamation project,  Alex Galchenyuk. With this gift, the Avalanche will have only true NHL talent dress for games.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars sit at the top of the division thanks in large part to Jason Robertson’s breakout season. The Stars wish list isn’t long but they’ll get what they really want, which is Robertson to continue producing at his current incredible rate. By season’s end, he will, without question, be the face of the franchise.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have been loving the play of Kirill Kaprizov but beyond that, the team has struggled to find ways score on a nightly basis. The Wild will be given the gift of offensive consistency. They’ll no longer need to rely on just Kaprizov to carry the team. With this gift from Father Christmas, more depth players in Minnesota will find the in back of the net and take some of the load off of Kaprizov.

Nashville Predators

David Poile is the President of the Nashville Predators Hockey Operations and their General Manager. His decision making and the franchise’s inability to develop young homegrown talent have all led to his team’s poor play. This is why the Pedators’ present is a new leader at the helm.

St. Louis Blues

The gift for the St. Louis Blues is an end to their goaltender, Jordan Binnington’s antics. There’s no doubt that the club would like the behavior to change.

For some reason, Binnington has been unable to get past his rivalry with Jason Zucker. The pair has now had multiple petty interactions. Zucker isn’t the only one to face Binner’s scorn. After losing Game 3 to the Avalanche in last year’s second round, the angered goalie threw a waterbottle at Nazem Kadri.

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are receiving a book of spells. They’ve found themselves in a favorable position in the standing thus far. They’d like to remain in a strong playoff position and to do that they’ll need some magic. That’s where the book of spells will come in handy.