In the spirit of the season, here's an NHL team-by-team wish list:
Anaheim Ducks: Blue-line help; specifically, the un-retirement of Scott Niedermayer and the return of Chris Pronger.
Atlanta Thrashers: Fan support at home games.
Boston Bruins: A soothing balm to ease the pain of last spring's play-off burn, when the Bruins blew a 3-0 series lead against Philadelphia - and a 3-0 lead in Game 7.
Buffalo Sabres: A lifetime contract for all-world goaltender Ryan Miller.
Calgary Flames: A bucket of water to put out all the fires.
Carolina Hurricanes: More Staal brothers, to make it a family affair with captain Eric and prospect Jared.
Chicago Blackhawks: Salary-cap space, so the Hawks won't have to tear apart their Stanley Cup-winning roster. What? It's too late? They did that already? Oh, sorry, Chicago. Have a happy new year, anyway.
Colorado Avalanche: How about a lift ticket for Aspen - and in the standings?
Columbus Blue Jackets: Health, wealth and happiness. And please, please, please, a play-offs berth.
Dallas Stars: A brand-new contract for Brad Richards.
Detroit Red Wings: It would be nice if the auto industry were to pick up; otherwise, the Wings don't need a thing.
Edmonton Oilers: A fast-forward button to five years in the future, when they should once again be a league power.
Florida Panthers: Even more than Columbus, the Panthers need to make the play-offs. They haven't seen the post-season since 2000.
Los Angeles Kings: A bottle of silver polish for goalies Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier, so they don't tarnish.
Minnesota Wild: Some tinsel, so the Wild have at least a smidgen of flash and dash.
Montreal Canadiens: They want only one thing in Montreal, and it's the same thing every year - a Stanley Cup.
Nashville Predators: A sack full of cash, so the Preds can afford to re-sign their own free agents for a change.
New Jersey Devils: A do-over, a time machine, a magic eraser … whatever it takes to start the season over again.
New York Islanders: The first-born male children of former greats Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, et al.
New York Rangers: How about a nice centrepiece? As in, a top-flight centre for star winger Marian Gaborik.
Ottawa Senators: Goals for the forwards, goals for the defencemen, goals for all.
Philadelphia Flyers: A goaltending guarantee.
Phoenix Coyotes: An owner whose initials are not N-H-L.
Pittsburgh Penguins: A scoring winger who can keep up with Sidney Crosby.
St Louis Blues: An aspirin and a get-well-soon card for the defence corps.
San Jose Sharks: They want what Aretha Franklin wanted. To spell it out: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Tampa Bay Lightning: The October model of lights-out Lightning star Steven Stamkos.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Six scorers scoring, five defenders defending, four goaltending kings …
Vancouver Canucks: A free playoff pass against Chicago.
Washington Capitals: A defensive commitment that matches their offensive wizardry.
