We imagine it already feels like Christmas time to a lot of Edmonton Oilers fans, after their beloved team entered the holiday break with a 3-1 win against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night. This is a team on a roll right now, with 11 wins in their last 13 games and sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference ahead of Monday's slate of action.
However, what about the players themselves? What would they like to receive as a Christmas gift this year? Well, we're glad you asked, as we take a look at 10 players, and count down what they're hoping to see in their stockings on Christmas morning, and why.
N.B. We didn't include Evander Kane in our top 10, but let's give him an honourable mention. Yet to play this season and currently on long-term injured reserve, our Christmas gift to him is a full bill of clean health come playoff time, in order to be back and playing for the Oilers.
10) Zach Hyman - A new nose
The guy has now broken his nose six times by his count, which is clearly too much punishment for a nose in one lifetime, with the most recent occasion coming against the Florida Panthers. If nothing else though, it only reinforces his reputation as one tough son of a gun.
9) Jeff Skinner - A playoff game
He holds the NHL record for most ever games without a playoff appearance, at 1,040 games and counting at the time of writing. Although he does also need to improve his play, or the record could extend indefinitely if the Oilers end up trading him. (Although it should be noted he does have a no-move clause in his contract.)
8) Ty Emberson - A new contract
Brought in as part of the trade which sent Codi Ceci to the San Jose Sharks, the young defenceman has been excellent so far this season for the Oilers as part of the third pairing. He's currently a pending Group 6 Unrestricted Free Agent but set to become a full UFA after this season, and if he keeps playing as he has done so far, he will more than deserve a new deal.
7) Viktor Arvidsson - An extended run of good health
There's long been concern about the winger's ability to remain healthy, which includes being limited to just 18 appearances for the Los Angeles Kings last season due to a back injury. He's already missed 15 games in his first season in Edmonton, with both he and the Oilers hoping there wont be many (or any!) more to come.
6) Darnell Nurse - More respect
Has there been any player who has received more criticism in Edmonton these past few seasons than the embattled defencemen, albeit partly of his own doing. (For example, his atrocious playoff form last season.) His expensive contract doesn't help, although at least he's been playing better of late, thanks to the influence of Oilers legend Paul Coffey.
5) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - A time machine
The 2011 first overall draft pick hasn't been awful per se this season, but the Oilers still need more than the six goals and 18 total points he's produced so far through 33 games. Of course his career-high 104 points from two seasons ago would be fantastic, but even something close to last season's 67 points would do the trick.
4) Evan Bouchard - Less defensive lapses
As much as no one denies the blue-liner's offensive talent, he's making far too many errors at the defensive end of the ice so far this season, many of which are frustratingly avoidable. It would also help him to be more mentally aware, as he aims to negotiate a lucrative multi-year contract extension.
3) Leon Draisaitl - A new individual award
The German native already has a Hart Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award on his resume, all won back in 2019-20. He leads the NHL with 24 goals entering Monday's slate of action, which puts him well in contention to win his first Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.
2) Stuart Skinner - Better consistency
As much as there is no denying the goalie's talent between the pipes and his ability to step up in big moments, his teammates need to know they can rely on him more regularly. It would make all the difference in both the regular season standings and then come playoff time.
1) Connor McDavid - The Stanley Cup
The man has pretty much won everything the game has to offer, except the most important prize of all. No matter how much people say hockey is one of the ultimate team game's -- and it is -- his reputation and all-time standing in the game are both riding on him winning at least one cup before he retires.
We have no doubt there are plenty of people out there who can think of gifts for other players on the team as well, including the likes of Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, Mattias Ekholm, and so on. Ultimately though, we assume the main player everyone wants to see get his gift is McDavid, as it's the one which will benefit the Oilers team, the coaches, the front office, the fans and the city of Edmonton as a whole.