My Leaf Christmas

Before I start, let me say Merry Christmas to all and all a good night. Santa Claus is coming around, putting gifts and toys in your stockings. So what is he putting in the Maple Leaf stocking?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been running on all cylinders this season and there has been little to complain about. They just need a little tinkering. I would love to add a little more stability to the defense by bringing in a number 5 defenseman. For that, I am wishing for Santa to bring a Brian Glennie. If you don't know who he is, please look him up! The addition would strengthen the Leafs' defense and provide Reilly with some much-needed support.

The Brian Glennie Player

Every team needs another stay-home steady defenseman, and the Maple Leafs are no different. The best player that fits that description is Justin Braun. Justin is great on his own and plays the body. He keeps players honest. The Maple Leafs could also use his help in the toughness department.

A Healthy Reilly

The other worry is making sure Morgan Reilly is healthy. Having Morgan back is like bringing in a new player at the deadline. The Maple Leafs have missed his presence. He is by far their best blue-liner and makes everyone around him better. 

I love the way the Leafs are playing right now. Who wouldn't? The greatest gift they can give their fans is remembering their defensive responsibilities. Sure, it would be awesome to bring another forward to help the third line, but I worry about ruining the chemistry. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! My fingers are crossed that they don't mess anything up.

Randy

My Isles Christmas

Before I start, let me say Merry Christmas to all and all a good night. Santa Claus is coming to town, putting gifts and toys in your stockings. So what is he putting in the Isles stockings? 

Let's not be greedy; the Isles have two pressing needs that need to be addressed immediately.

Isles need a power forward who can take advantage of Barzal's generosity. You know, someone who can fill the net with pucks. For the sake of nostalgia, let's call him a Mike Bossy player.

The Mike Bossy Player

The power forward must meet my list of specific characteristics. The first is that he must have the ability of a one-timer. He has to have an accurate and quick release. There is a misconception that wrist shots must be hard to be effective. Most of the time, the quick release gets it done. The second ability he needs is to understand Barzal. Knowing where he is supposed to be at all times is vital for his success as a sniper with Matt. My first gift to the Isles is Vladimir Tarasenko.

 

The second gift for the Isles roster is more complicated. It is dependent on the injury status of Adam Pelech. The concussion issue is frustrating; you never know how long it will last. Every player is different, and of course, there is the degree of the injury. If Pelech is out long-term, we need someone who is durable. Let's call him the Ken Morrow player. If Pelech's injury is less severe, a player like Dave Langevin, who is not quite as good will suffice to fill the gap. 

The Ken Morrow Player

Nathan Beaulieu is a big steady dman who is nothing fancy and may not be a sexy pickup, but someone who gets the job done. Great shock blocker who can play the man. He is decent with the puck and is a decent passer. He can fill nicely for Pelech while he is out and would make a decent number five when Pelech returns. 

The Dave Langevin Player

Now just the fill in a player, the shorter-term player. A number five-six type of dman who knows his abilities. 

Luke Schenn is a nasty stay-home defenseman who can clear a room. A no-nonsense dman you don't notice. This is good because he ensures everything is running well on the defensive end—a perfect fill-in short-term solution. 

Randy

It's Christmas time in the City

It's everyone's favourite time of year, when Islanders fans can start with a clean state. Last year was a year which we all would like to forget.

The defense was fine, but the Isles could not score a goal if their life depended on it. Sorokin is one of the best goalies in the league. That being said, we need to give him more support. We can't go on scoring one or two goals a game and expect him to be perfect. That is way too much pressure to put on a goalie. The big boys have to come out to play. They have to start putting more effort into the offensive side. On the bright side, Coach Lambert will open up a little more. I suspect he will add more life to the system. How do you do that by taking advantage of a team's mistakes? Well, being good defensively.

The Islanders can't trade offensive chances, so they have to counterpunch, taking advantage of the team's mistakes. When the Islanders were effective, they would stick to their opponents like glue. They never gave up on a play; they outworked their opponents to death. Too often last year, the Islanders were out-chanced every game. The Isles' new coaching staff will have to make some changes this year. 

There are a couple of positive vibes this season. Having Pulock and Pelech for the entire season is enormous. Often described as the best defensive pairing, Pulock will add to the scoring, while Pelech is one of the best defenders in the league. 

The Isles have the weapons to be successful. Is Lambert capable of using them to their full extent? Only time will tell. 

Breaking News: Twelve Days of Christmas for the Flames

Originally posted to Flames Jambalaya

According to my secret sources (the squirrels), Brian Burke is meeting with some of the players and coaches before the Christmas. They are trying to keep these meeting hush hush, but my sources have special ways to get into the room. Apparently, Brian is meeting with some of his favorites, asking what they want for Christmas. Burke does not want people to know he plays favorites. It is not professional to play favorites. He does not want jealousy to be an issue in the dressing room.

 

Our sources worked overtime to get this info. The problem is that they do not speak English, so some of this could be lost in translation. I will try my best to get you the full story.

 

So my squirrels—oh, I mean insiders—said Burke would only answer to ‘my true love’. He is kind of funny that way. 

 

Burke: So, Shawn, what is it do you want for Christmas?

 

Shawn Manahan: Well, Mr. Burke—

 

Burke: Excuse me? How do you address me?

 

Shawn Monahan: Are you serious? Okay then… my true love, what I want from thee is a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Okay then, get out of my office.

 

(The squirrels, have informed me Burke is never big on words; he's right to the point.)

 

Burke: Good afternoon Mark. What would you like for Christmas?

 

(Mark was kind of cocky. He looked at Burke.)

 

Mark Giordano: Not to have to call you 'my true love.' 

 

Burke picked up the phone, and next thing the squirrels saw was McGratton coming in with brass knuckles.

 

Mark changes his tune: My true love, what I want from thee is two more defensemen and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Fine, get out of my office.

 

Burke: Hey, Johnny, what do you want for Christmas? 

 

Johnny Gaudreau: My true love, what I want from thee is three snipers, two more defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree. And of course, not to have to call you ‘my true love.' 

 

Burke: Do I need to bring in Mr. McGratton?

 

Johnny ran out before Burke could get an answer from him.

 

Burke: So, Brian, what do you want for Christmas?

 

Brian McGratton: (pretending to gag) My true love, what I want from thee is to send four more players to the hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: (sweating) Please leave my office.

 

Burke: Coach, what do you want for Christmas? 

 

Coach Hartley: (while making certain finger gestures) My true love, what I want from thee is five golden Stanley Cup rings, four players to hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Curtis, what do want for Christmas?

 

Curtis Glencross: I am so delicate, my true love, what I want from thee is six fewer practices, five golden rings, four players to hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree. 

 

Burke: (trying to find something to throw at him, yells) Get out of my office! Dennis, what do you want for Christmas?

 

Dennis Widemen: (trying to poke his own eyes out) My true love, what I want from thee is seven more power plays, six less practices, five golden rings, four players to hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Kris, what do you want for Christmas?

 

Kris Russell: (choking on his words) My true love, what I want from thee is eight more block shots, seven power plays, six less practices, five golden rings, four players to hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Fine, get out of my office. Markus what do you want for Christmas?

 

Markus Granlund: (turning blue, holding his breath) My true love, what I want from thee is nine minutes playing time, eight block shots, seven power plays, six less practices, five golden rings, four players to hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Fine, get out of my office. Juri, what do you want for Christmas?

 

Juri Hudler: (while covering his ears) My true love, what I want from thee is ten more Johnny Hockeys, nine minutes playing, eight block shots, seven power plays, six less practices, five golden rings, four players to hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Get out of my office. What do you want for Christmas Lance?

 

Lance Bouma: (crying for being made to say the words) My true love, what I want from thee is eleven more body checks, ten Johnny Hockeys, nine minutes playing, eight block shots, seven power plays, six less practices, five golden rings, four players to hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Get out of my office. Jonas, what do you want for Christmas?

 

Jonas Hiller: (drinking lots of alcohol) My true love, what I want from thee is twelve more shutouts, eleven body checks, ten Johnny Hockeys, nine minutes playing, eight block shots, seven power plays, six less practices, five golden rings, four players to hospital, three snipers, two defensemen, and a Stanley Cup in a pear tree.

 

Burke: Get out of my office.

 

My wish to you is to have a safe, Merry Christmas!