As Christmas fast approaches, 30 National Hockey League clubs are looking at their roster and checking it twice, to see where they need to improve on the ice.
Top contenders and teams just looking to sneak into the postseason may be looking to tweak or add depth in certain positions.
In honor of the giving that goes with the holiday season, Santa will spread joy throughout the Pacific Division by giving them the perfect present to make their chances of winning much better.
Anaheim Ducks
Mike Cammalleri – Forward (New Jersey)
The Ducks are another team with a window to win another Stanley Cup. Their core group of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler are all over the age of 30.
Anaheim GM Bob Murray is likely looking for one more scorer and has the advantage of being stocked with defensive prospects that other teams would be desperate to trade for.
Arizona Coyotes
Matt Duchene – Forward (Colorado)
The Coyotes are loaded with top end prospects but need to add established core players who can help them become playoff contenders in the next few years to stabilize the franchise in Arizona.
Colorado may be looking for a shakeup and to rebuild. Duchene, who has been the subject of many trade rumors over the last two years, would be an attractive get for GM John Chayka.
Calgary Flames – Ben Bishop – Goaltender (Tampa)
The Flames are only in a Western Conference wild card spot because backup Chad Johnson has filled in admirably.
Calgary is looking for a long-term solution in goal and nearly traded for Bishop (currently out with a lower body injury) last summer but opted instead to trade for Brian Elliott. Think that GM Brad Treliving is looking for a do-over???
Edmonton Oilers
Travis Hamonic – Defenseman (NY Islanders)
The Oilers have upgraded their blueline, but are still not good enough defensively after having paid $5.5 Million per season in free agency to sign Andrej Sekera and swapping former #1 overall pick Taylor Hall to New Jersey for Adam Larsson.
Hamonic has struggled in New York after having rescinded his trade request during the off-season and is signed for another three years at less than $4 Million.
Los Angeles Kings
P-A Parenteau – Forward (New Jersey)
Los Angeles has been able to survive the injury to goalie Jonathan Quick by shutting down the opposition and allowing only 84 goals against (6th in the NHL). Only Jeff Carter has more than 10 goals this season and the absence of Marian Gaborik has exposed the club’s need for secondary scoring.
Parenteau has eight goals for the Devils and his $1.25 Million salary would be a good fit for cap crunched Kings.
San Jose Sharks
Shane Doan – Forward (Arizona)
Doan played his 1500th game and scored his 400th goal on Friday and there is a question whether the 40-year-old winger will want one final shot at a Stanley Cup before hanging them up.
The Sharks are a win-now team and are in need of scoring depth with Thomas Hertl injured and free agent signing Mikkel Boedker a big disappointment.
Vancouver Canucks
Michael Del Zotto – Defenseman (Philadelphia)
The Canucks should be going into the direction of a full rebuild, but ownership’s directive has been to retool on the fly and try to win at the same time. Vancouver’s defense has been without veterans Alex Elder and Chris Tanev for long stretches and could use Del Zotto’s offensive talents and puck carrying ability.
Santa’s gifts from the Atlantic Division | Metropolitan Division | Central Division
Michael (@MikeInBuffalo on Twitter) can also be found on HockeyBuzz.com
