Tis the season to make up your wish list and cross your fingers that you will find all you want under the tree on Christmas morning. NHL teams are no different. Here is a quick look at what NHL Canadian teams need or want for Christmas to make 2023 a Happy New Year.<\/p>\n
No team underwent a more dramatic change in personnel over the summer than the Calgary Flames. Star forward Johnny Gaudreau decided to leave<\/a> before the face of the franchise, Matthew Tkachuk<\/a> requested a trade out of town.<\/p>\n Flames\u2019 GM Brad Treliving did a masterful job of absorbing the loss of Gaudreau and granting Tkachuk his wish by swinging a blockbuster trade with the Florida Panthers<\/a>, bringing in forward Jonathan Huberdeau<\/a> and defenceman MacKenzie Weegar<\/a> and then signing free agent Nazem Kadri<\/a>.<\/p>\n But after finishing first in the Pacific Division last season, the Flames are on the playoff bubble this season. Huberdeau is not Gaudreau. Kadri is not Tkachuk. Even Jacob Markstrom<\/a> is not Jacob Markstrom<\/a> this season. The new guys have had trouble fitting in and a definite lack of chemistry. Veteran head coach Darryl Sutter<\/a> needs to find the right combination to get the Flames back on track soon.<\/p>\n It\u2019s no surprise to say, as go Connor McDavid<\/a> and Leon Draisaitl<\/a>, so go the Edmonton Oilers. No two players are more integral to their team\u2019s success than this dynamic duo. While it\u2019s too late for<\/a> Evander Kane<\/a>, a big roll of bubble wrap under the tree would be a welcome sight for head coach Jay Woodcroft, general manager Ken Holland<\/a> and every Oilers fan.<\/p>\n If one of these players goes down to injury for an extended period of time, it could make things very tense in the Alberta capital. If they both go down, it might be time to get an early start on the 2023 Draft!<\/p>\n Rebuilding can be a long, arduous process. Patience is a virtue. The Canadiens are currently led by young stars Nick Suzuki<\/a> and Cole Caufield<\/a>, who have looked very good at times. Kaiden Guhle<\/a> looks like a blue-chipper on defence. First-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky<\/a> and Kirby Dach<\/a> both seem destined for long, productive NHL careers up front. But it\u2019s still early.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why the Canadiens\u2019 organization, and maybe more so its fans should get a two-year pass for meditation classes and trust the process. General manager Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis<\/a>, who are both new at their positions, will need to exercise patience.<\/p>\n Fans should enjoy the prospect of watching the organization on this journey and not get too worried about the obstacles along the way. It\u2019s one of the most difficult parts of building a winning team. Calm… (red, white and) blue… ocean…<\/p>\n A new owner for the Senators would be a great gift but that won\u2019t be under the tree this year. What is needed is a light switch so they can flip from a rebuilding team to a playoff team. It\u2019s a difficult transition from a team where losing for a number of years was expected to a team that now needs to turn to corner.<\/p>\nEdmonton Oilers \u2013 Bubble Wrap<\/h3>\n
Montreal Canadiens \u2013 Meditation Classes<\/h3>\n
Ottawa Senators \u2013 Light Switch<\/h3>\n