What every NHL team would like in their stocking

THE EASTERN CONFERENCE WISHLIST

*Wish: Help covering for Aleksander Barkov*

After winning back-to-back Cups, these champs have one request: Aleksander Barkov is out seven-to-nine months after knee surgery, so a breakout season from Anton Lundell would go a long way toward mitigating the captain’s absence.

*Wish: Better goaltending and health*

The Leafs want one simple gift: reliability in net and Auston Matthews’ importance to the team is magnified following the departure of Mitch Marner.   Matthews, if healthy, is capable of carrying his own line—but he scored just 33 goals while laboring through 67 games last season.

*Wish: Help with depth scoring*

The Bruins want a goal for Charlie McAvoy, who has not scored a goal since Feb. 4, 2025.

*Wish: Keep the momentum going*

After making the playoffs last season, Ottawa just wants to prove they can do it again consistently.

*Wish: A top-line forward prospect*

They have lots of young defensemen but need to develop more scoring talent upfront.

*Wish: Actually, everything (Seriously, they need a cultural overhaul)*

They’re looking for… well, pretty much everything at this point.

*Wish: A veteran piece to win now*

The Canadiens were one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season, going from rebuilding team to playoff team. Their young core is outstanding with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson leading the way, and now they just need something to bring it all together: a productive veteran forward, a big-time scorer, another top defenseman.

*Wish: Healthy roster and consistency*

They’d love to stay injury-free and find their rhythm.

*Wish: Consistent goaltending*

Although the Hurricanes have one of the NHL’s best rosters from top to bottom, goaltending remains a major question mark. It’s unfair to ask Frederik Andersen to carry the load at 36 years old with his injury history, and consistent play from Kochetkov would help.

*Wish: Keep Jack Hughes healthy*

Hughes has missed 20 games in each of the last two seasons, including all of the 2025 playoffs. The Devils will only go as far as he can take them, and to have any chance of a deep postseason run, New Jersey’s top game-breaker needs to be healthy.

*Wish: An exorcism and a new center*

When a team finds itself existentially lost like this, you take a good, hard look at the center. Granted, it’s been a down year for many of the Rangers’ stars and maybe only a no-nonsense offseason and better vibes next season can fix that, but maybe you see what else is available at center.

*Wish: Matvei Michkov to break out of his slump*

Michkov has scored just five goals in 26 games this season. From Zegras to Dvorak to Vladar, almost every move the Flyers have made has been a big win, but their offense could get a big boost if Michkov can snap out of his sophomore slump.

*Wish: A rebuild with purpose*

Even though Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang remain on the roster, it is pretty obvious the Penguins’ rebuild has arrived. Kyle Dubas has done a strong job in rebuilding the farm system and stockpiling draft picks (30 over the next three years, more than any other team in the NHL).

*Wish: Better scoring depth and special teams*

The Capitals lost to the Hurricanes in five games in the second round largely because of a lack of scoring depth and poor special teams. Coach Spencer Carbery was awarded the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.

*Wish: Consistency and closing ability*

The Jackets have the pieces to be a playoff team, but they need to be consistent. Having the mental fortitude to close out games would go a long way for a team that is 9-0 in regulation but has four overtime losses when leading after two periods.

**Wish: Get back to their winning ways**The Islanders have fallen from their recent playoff consistency and need to rediscover the defensive structure and goaltending that made them perennial contenders. 

THE WESTERN CONFERENCE WISHLIST

*Wish: A reliable third-line center*

The Avs are still steamrolling teams, so what do you get a team that’s already at the top of the mountain? Actually, a reliable third-line center might be useful.

*Wish: Keep Connor Hellebuyck healthy*

The Jets got a glimpse of how horrifying they would be without Connor Hellebuyck, so whatever they did to get him to return ahead of schedule… let’s just say the hope is he doesn’t get injured again.

*Wish: Another top-nine forward*

Strange to say for a team that ranks in the top five in goals-for per game and power-play efficiency, but the Stars can use another top-nine forward with Tyler Seguin out for the season.

*Wish: Build on their surprising season*

They’re building something interesting and just want to keep the momentum!

*Wish: Their expensive veterans to step up*

Jokingly, they need a new security key to prevent Barry Trotz from accessing funds before the next free agency starts. Seriously, hopefully the Preds’ overpaid veterans pick it up to increase their trade value.

*Wish: Immediate improvement*

St. Louis has played well over its last 10 games but owns the worst goal differential in the NHL. The team has struggled to put the puck into the net while preventing opponents from scoring, and the Blues will struggle throughout the season.

*Wish: Health and continued success*

If the Wild didn’t make another move for the rest of the season, it’s still a big win just to get Hughes. A center to replace Marco Rossi would be nice, but hopefully, with Hughes, they can win at least one playoff round.

**Wish: Continue the rebuild with optimism **

Connor Bedard has been absolutely fantastic this year and the future looks more and more bright for chicago. Now they just need to find the pieces to put around him.

*Wish: Better goaltending*

Anaheim’s goaltenders must improve. The Ducks are 2nd in goals scored per game, but their goaltenders are among the worst in the division.

*Wish: More goal scorers (literally anything)*

The Flames were one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL during the 2024-25 season, finishing 29th in goals scored. Even an average offense would have been enough to put them into the playoffs. After a quiet offseason where nothing meaningful was done to improve the offense, the Flames are now 32nd in the NHL in goals scored.

*Wish: Depth scoring options*

If Isaac Howard can make an immediate impact in the NHL, he transforms the Oilers’ offensive depth. If he’s a genuine option to pair with McDavid or Draisaitl, he’d give the Cup contenders a huge boost.

*Wish: Defensive stability*

The Kings could certainly use more offense, but they have another big issue with what is considered to be their greatest strength—their defense.

*Wish: Depth around their young stars*

The challenge is building a competent, competitive team around their young core. Right now, there isn’t really much to write home about around them.

*Wish: Young players to develop quickly*

Seattle has been abysmal over its last 10 games. The team is ranked last in goals scored per game, and the Kraken need their younger players to develop as soon as possible.

*Wish: Keep the hot streak going*

They’re on a roll and just want to maintain it!

*Wish: Figure out their direction*

With top talent but inconsistent results, they need clarity on their path forward.

So there you have it…  Did I get your team’s wish right, or do you have a better one? Let me know in the comments…