National Post (National Edition)
Christmas wishes for a gold medal and a Stanley Cup
HERE'S HOPING JOLLY OLD SANTA CLAUS IS KIND TO THE LEAGUE AND ITS FANS THIS YULETIDE
With my annual apologies to Clement Clarke Moore: ' Twas the night before Christmas and all through Gary Bettman's house, not a creature was stirring, not even Bill Daly's mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Santa Claus would deliver the 2020-21 NHL season spot there.
Donald Fehr was nestled, all snug in his bed.
With visions of making another trade dancing in his head.
And, Daly in his pyjamas and Connor McDavid in his cap, had just settled down to see if they could take a little pre-negotiations nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter.
Daly sprung from his bed to see if he could find a Memorandum of Understanding to help him deal with this matter.
Away from the bookstand Daly flew in a flash, he tore open the shutters and prepared to make a dash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of mid-day to hockey equipment below when, what to Daly's wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight big-bodied forwards.
“Now Matthews! Now Laine! Now Pettersson and Chabot!
“On Price! On Monahan! On Draisaitl and On Marner!”
So up to the housetop the forwards they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and Santa Claus, too.
And then, in a twinkling, Daly heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As Daly drew in his head, and was turning around, down the chimney Santa came with a bound.
His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like Tyson Barrie!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as snow.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and Daly laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave Daly to know he had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, to hand out some presents to some of the NHL's good sports …
Gary Bettman: An NHL season with fans in the stands in a safe environment that allows people across the league who make their livings with the teams to get back to work and a Stanley Cup awarded in June. Connor McDavid: Another MVP-type season and a chance to make a long run in the playoffs.
Canada's world junior team: A gold medal on Canadian soil for Ottawa 67's coach Andre Tourigny and all the players. It hasn't been an easy road into the bubble in Edmonton and, hopefully, all the hard work pays off.
Auston Matthews: Playoff success for the Toronto Maple Leafs. An opportunity to prove that he can take his game to the next level when the season matters most. Carey Price: The Montreal Canadiens have made a lot of positive changes and, finally, he may get some support to help this team go further in the post-season.
Braden Holtby: Success in his new home. He arrives in Vancouver with a strong resumé and could be just what the Canucks need to get them over the top.
Patrik Laine: The trade out of Winnipeg he wants because it's time for a change of scenery and a fresh start because he has plenty of offensive potential.
Brady Tkachuk: A long-term contract with the Ottawa Senators for one of the NHL's best competitors and a big role in helping to make this club a Stanley Cup contender.
Alex Ovechkin: How about 56 goals in 56 games this season so he can move a step closer to Wayne Gretzky's career high of 894 goals. Ovechkin is eighth all-time with 706 career goals.
Bobby Ryan: Best wishes for a successful stay in your new home with the Detroit Red Wings. Santa Claus believes good things should happen for good people.
Zdeno Chara: Another season with the Boston Bruins for a defenceman who has been one of the most consistent throughout his career.
Oskar Lindblom: After being declared cancer free just before the holidays, after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer a year ago, let's hope for good health. Tim Stuetzle: An entry-level deal and trip to Senators' training camp right after the world juniors ends.
To NHL broadcast personnel: Most of these hard-working people are paid by the game so here's hoping the league has at least a 56-game season with long playoff series because they've suffered enough financial hardship.
Henrik Lundqvist: Good health after learning recently he won't be able to play this season for the Washington Capitals because of an underlying heart condition.
To the readers: A safe and happy holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Let's hope we're all safe, healthy and back in rinks with smiles on our faces soon.