Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes will be receiving a big present. They’re going to get Seth Jarvis to return to 2021-22 form. Last year, the forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba, had a 40 point campaign. He tallied 17 goals and 23 assists in 68 games. While he isn’t on that pace yet, the Canes will be ecstatic once he returns to form.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets will receive the present of Connor Bedard. More specifically, they’ll win the draft lottery giving them the first pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. At this point, Bedard is separating himself from the rest of his cohort and looking like the clear first-overall selection. However, Adam Fantilli’s curious path would make him being the top pick a much better story.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers get something they desperately need, the ability to win a game in overtime. Las season, the Flyers went 5-11 when free hockey was played. This season, they’ve started out 0-7. They also played one overtime game in the preseason, which they also lost.
Pittsburgh Penguins
When the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Owen Pickering in the first round, 21st overall, in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, they knew that they had just gotten a player with serious potential. The Penguins gift is for Pickering to play for them in the NHL next season.
Pickering is an offensive defenseman who is currently playing for the Swift Current Broncos in the WHL. There is already the perfect spot on the Pens for him to graduate. Brian Dumoulin is a left-side defender just like Pickering. Dumoulin’s contract is also expiring at the end of the season. If he doesn’t re-sign, then GM Ron Hextall could slide Pickering right in.
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils gift is to raise attendance. Currently, they rank 28th out of the 32 NHL clubs. With the Devils playing spectacular hockey near the top of the standings, they should be looking at far greater numbers and consistent sellouts.
New York Islanders
The gift for the New York Islanders is finding the correct winger for Mathew Barzal. This has been a struggle for the Islanders who have tried multiple players alongside Barzal. Last season, right wing was a revolving door. Oliver Wahlstrom might be the long-term answer the Isles and Coach Lane Lambert are looking for.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers present is to keep the “Kid Line” together for several more years. The line is made up of 21-year-old Alexis Lafreniere, 21-year-old Kaapo Kakko, and 23-year-old Filip Chytil. Lafreniere was the first-overall pick of the 2020 draft. Kakko was drafted second-overall in 2019. Chytil was the Rangers second selection of the 2017 first round. After taking Lias Andersson at seven, Chytil came off the board at 21.
All three players have contracts expiring soon. Both Lafreniere and Chytil become RFAs at season’s end. Kakko has one more year before he becomes an RFA. The Rangers will have a difficult time keeping all three players and fitting them under the cap. It becomes even more difficult as the trio continue to improve. With Santa’s help, the Rangers will see their youth grow together.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals will receive a glimpse at the future. They will get to see a scene of Alexander Ovechkin in his Capitals jersey breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goal record. The Great 8 surpassing the Great One won’t happen this season. The margin between Ovechkin’s current mark and Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals is far too wide to be reached this season. The preview the Capitals get of the future will give them relief knowing that their star will make history. In fact, they’ll see that Ovechkin will score his 895th goal during the 2024-25 season.