Super 16: Holiday wish list for NHL teams

It's the holiday season, and the Boston Bruins continue to unwrap wins.

The Bruins are the unanimous No. 1 in this week's Super 16 power rankings. It is their sixth straight week in the top spot, but the first time all 13 voters ranked them first.
But that is only one gift the NHL.com staff has for Boston. There are more underneath the Super 16 tree. In fact, there is one here for each team ranked this week, including the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals, who have played their way into the Super 16.
As a reminder, to come up with the Super 16 each week, the 13 voters put together their own version of what they think the rankings should look like. A point total assigned to each with the team selected first is given 16 points, second 15, third 14, and so on down the line.
So let's get festive, let's get merry and let's let the gift-giving begin.
Here is the Super 16, with gifts being handed out by the participating staff members, whose individual rankings are below:

1. Boston Bruins (25-4-2)

Total points: 208
Last week: No. 1
"What do you get for the team that has everything? For the Bruins, I'm thinking about the future when I'm coming up with my gift for this holiday season. I'm going to get my best cardstock and print out a nice eight-year contact for forward David Pastrnak. I'll tie it up with a red ribbon and maybe even add a fancy pen for a flourish. I mean, I'm not usually one to give out cash for the holidays, but sometimes it's just the only answer." -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

2. Carolina Hurricanes (20-6-6)

Total points: 192
Last week: No. 5
"
Max Pacioretty
is like an unopened present that's been sitting under the Hurricanes' Christmas tree since they acquired the forward in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 13. Pacioretty tore his Achilles tendon during offseason training and has yet to play this season but has resumed skating and is projected to make his Carolina debut in February. Adding Pacioretty, a six-time 30-goal scorer, to the lineup could be just what the Hurricanes need to get what is already a very good team over the hump in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. A healthy Frederik Andersen, who hasn't played since Nov. 6 because an upper-body injury, could also be on the holiday wish list, but they are good shape in net until he comes back with continued emergence of rookie Pyotr Kochetkov." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

3. Toronto Maple Leafs (21-7-6)

Total points: 173
Last week: No. 2
"In honor of the ascending Maple Leafs, Santa plans to plop the perfect gift under their organizational Christmas tree at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. The identity of the much-ballyhooed present? A time machine, of course. Why? Because with the Maple Leafs playing at such a high level (11-2-1 in past 14), it could whisk them ahead several months in their current form to April and the start of the playoffs. They have struggled in the playoffs to play at the elite level they are at right now, as evidenced by the fact they've not won a postseason series since 2004. Maybe this would help. Just one question: anyone know where to pick up a good time machine?" -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

4. Vegas Golden Knights (23-11-1)

Total points: 141
Last week: No. 4
"If I could, I'd give the Golden Knights the gift of home being a sweet home again. What's happened to the Greatest Show on Ice at T-Mobile Arena? OK, well, it's still a great show, but it's not reflecting in their results, as they're 9-9-0 at home this season. Since joining the NHL in the 2017-18 season, Vegas has always had a sparkling record at home. This year, the magic has been on the road (14-2-1). Listen, the Golden Knights are strong again this season, but they've got one of the most awesome homes in the League. Get your home mojo back, Vegas!" -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

5. New Jersey Devils (22-9-2)

Total points: 139
Last week: No. 3
"The Devils are learning the hard way that sustaining early-season success isn't easy; they lost six straight games (0-4-2) prior to a 4-2 win at the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. They surprisingly had struggled with execution and sticking with the easy play when the pressure mounted. Turnovers and ill-advised decisions led to Grade A scoring chances for the opposition during the recent stretch. I have the Devils ranked No. 13 this week and would like to package and gift each player greater confidence to execute like they did during their 13-game winning streak earlier this season, when the confidence and swagger were at such a high level. There's no need to get fancy as the games become bigger and winning becomes tougher. Execution and team defense are vital to the Devils' success, and they need to prioritize those areas." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

6. Pittsburgh Penguins (19-9-4)

Total points: 135
Last week: No. 6
"How about a boost for their power play? The Penguins possess one of the most talented offensive groups in the NHL, but their power play is mediocre at best. Their 22.9 success rate was No. 16 in the League entering Wednesday, despite the fact that they have elite players at forward and on the blue line. Sidney Crosby is playing at an MVP level with 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists), but 33 of those points have come at even strength. Forward Jake Guentzel has 15 goals, but 10 have come at even strength. Kris Letang, one of the best puck-moving defensemen in the game, has just one power-play goal and five points with the man-advantage. Forward Evgeni Malkin is the primary threat; 16 of his 33 points have come on the power play. The Penguins are already dangerous. If their power play was consistently good, they would be close to unstoppable." -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

7. Winnipeg Jets (21-10-1)

Total points: 133
Last week: No. 9
"A first-class, one-way ticket to the playoffs is the best gift I could give the Jets. They are firing on all cylinders, with 21 wins in 32 games already. At this pace, they'll easily surpass the 40 victories mark for the first time since 2018-19. The stellar play of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is the main reason for their success. Hellebuyck has Vezina trophy stats, with 16 wins, a 2.33 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. Offensively, forward Pierre-Luc Dubois is having a career year, with 15 goals and 37 points in 32 games." -- Robert Laflamme, LNH.com senior writer

8. Dallas Stars (19-9-6)

Total points: 132
Last week: No. 8
"What should the Stars wish for for the holidays? How about a Xerox machine so they can copy the way they played the first 30-plus games this season. The Stars were leading the tough Central Division entering Wednesday. They've played very complete, ranking in the top 10 in goals for, goals against, power-play percentage and penalty-killing percentage. They've also gotten more scoring than just the top line of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn having resurgent seasons. Jake Oettinger has played like a Vezina Trophy finalist and new coach Peter DeBoer has pushed all the right buttons making them a somewhat surprise contender." -- David Satriano, staff writer

9. Tampa Bay Lightning (20-11-1)

Total points: 129
Last week: No. 7
"They seem to be firing on all cylinders again, so I would connect the Lightning with a travel agent who only books trips in the summer. Looks like they're going to be working for most of the spring." -- Brian Compton, managing editor

10. New York Rangers (18-11-5)

Total points: 80
Last week: No. 12
"Patrick Kane. Too much? Nah. The Rangers might need a left-handed defenseman to play on their third pair with Braden Schneider. But they should want Kane, who will be dealt before the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline on March 3. So, for the holiday season, my gift to the Rangers is the Chicago Blackhawks' 34-year-old right wing. As part of the gift, the Blackhawks will eat half of Kane's remaining salary provided the Rangers include a second-round pick as a sweetener. And, as a stocking stuffer, let's add another team to act as a third-party broker that will eat half of the remaining half of Kane's contract, allowing the Rangers to get him for 25 cents on the dollar. It'll cost them, so they may not get any presents next year, but Kane could be the gift that keeps on giving all the way through mid-June." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

11. Colorado Avalanche (18-11-2)

Total points: 75
Last week: No. 11
"Batteries. Look, I could say something like good health for captain
Gabriel Landeskog
, because he hasn't played this season while recovering from knee surgery. But that's obvious and no fun. So, yeah, I'd give the Avalanche batteries, because if I were them, I'd constantly be opening that crazy ring box that plays a video of their Stanley Cup celebration. I'd need to replace the batteries many, many times. And what else do you give the team that has everything?" -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

12. Minnesota Wild (19-11-2)

Total points: 70
Last week: No. 14
"Grandma's hand-knitted socks and mittens are back in style in Saint Paul, where it is minus-4 Fahrenheit as I am typing these words. Evidently the Wild players have received theirs early. Despite the brutal cold, their roster is remarkably healthy with no one out sick or on injured reserve. Better put these gifts to good use during the holidays, because it won't get any warmer until Monday. In the meanwhile, the whole team should pitch in for the best youth potion money can buy for Mats Zuccarello. The 35-year-old Norwegian forward had been on a roll before his 10-game point streak ended Wednesday. Last but not least, the Wild will desperately need some character and plain luck in about four months if they hope to get past the first round for the first time since 2015." -- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer

13. Seattle Kraken (18-10-3)

Total points: 63
Last week: No. 10
"The best gift I can think to give the Kraken are comfortable neck pillows and some sleep masks because they're going to need them with all the travel they have coming up in the new year. They play eight of nine away from Climate Pledge Arena between Jan. 3-17, and they have a five-game road trip coming out of the All-Star break in February. All told, they play 13 of 19 games away from home between Jan. 3 and Feb. 14. The Kraken have been good on the road to this point, going 9-4-1, but that much travel can really test a young team looking to reach the playoffs in its second season. So, if there's anything to make all those plane rides comfortable, hopefully Santa Claus, or maybe Buoy, can leave some solid stocking stuffers for the players and coaches." -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

14. Los Angeles Kings (18-12-5)

Total points: 34
Last week: Unranked
"I'm giving Jonathan Quick the mojo that he lost somewhere along the way this season, leading to his 8-8-3 record, 3.55 GAA and .882 save percentage. The 36-year-old goalie needs his mojo. The Kings need him to have it. So, my gift to them is Quick's confidence, bravado, the ability to make those aggressive, seemingly impossible saves. Los Angeles is getting saves from Pheonix Copley, who has won three straight starts and five of six, allowing two goals or fewer in each of his wins. Copley is writing a nice story, but the Kings need Quick at his best, or at least the best he can get to this late in his career, to go on a run this season. He can have his mojo back and then we'll see what happens with Quick and the Kings' goaltending after this season." -- Rosen

15. New York Islanders (18-13-2)

Total points: 33
Last week: No. 13
"Topping the Islanders holiday wish list should be a healthy Adam Pelech, who is out with an undisclosed injury. It's an affordable and reasonable gift, so I'll give it to them. The Islanders need the defenseman to make them whole. Pelech has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) and a plus-12 rating. He's used against top pairs on a regular basis. He is the Islanders' best defensive defenseman. When he's in the lineup, their defense pairs are set and everyone is slotted where they should be. It would be a stretch to say they're lost without him since they're 2-2-2 in the six games without him, but they're just much better with him." -- Rosen

16. Washington Capitals (17-13-4)

Total points: 22
Last week: Unranked
"Alex Ovechkin would like two goals in the next two games so he can move past Gordie Howe (801) on the NHL's all-time goal scoring list into second place behind Wayne Gretzky (894) and go into the holiday break without thinking about when it's going to happen and how. He's going to pass Howe eventually. Heck, he's going to pass Gretzky eventually. But Howe is next and that's happening soon, so the gift to the Capitals and Ovechkin is the two goals so everyone can move on and the chase for Gretzky can be officially on." -- Rosen

Others receiving points:Edmonton Oilers 4, Buffalo Sabres 3, Florida Panthers 2
Dropped out:Oilers (No. 15), Detroit Red Wings (No. 16)

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

AMALIE BENJAMIN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. New Jersey Devils; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Seattle Kraken; 10. Pittsburgh Penguins; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Minnesota Wild; 13. New York Rangers; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Washington Capitals
BRIAN COMPTON
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. New Jersey Devils; 7. Winnipeg Jets; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. New York Rangers; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Colorado Avalanche; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Washington Capitals; 16. Los Angeles Kings
NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Pittsburgh Penguins; 10. Seattle Kraken; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. New York Rangers; 13. Colorado Avalanche; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Washington Capitals
TOM GULITTI
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Winnipeg Jets; 5. Pittsburgh Penguins; 6. New Jersey Devils; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Vegas Golden Knights; 9. Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. New York Rangers; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Washington Capitals
ADAM KIMELMAN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Winnipeg Jets; 4. Vegas Golden Knights; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. New Jersey Devils; 9. Pittsburgh Penguins; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. New York Rangers; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. Edmonton Oilers; 16. New York Islanders
ROBERT LAFLAMME
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Toronto Maple Leafs; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Vegas Golden Knights; 5. New Jersey Devils; 6. Pittsburgh Penguins; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Winnipeg Jets; 9. Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. Seattle Kraken; 11. New York Rangers; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Minnesota Wild; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Edmonton Oilers; 16. Washington Capitals
MIKE G. MORREALE
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Pittsburgh Penguins; 5. Winnipeg Jets; 6. Toronto Maple Leafs; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Colorado Avalanche; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. New York Islanders; 13. New Jersey Devils; 14. Seattle Kraken; 15. Florida Panthers; 16. Washington Capitals
TRACEY MYERS
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Winnipeg Jets; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. New York Rangers; 11. New York Islanders; 12. Washington Capitals; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. Minnesota Wild; 16. Colorado Avalanche
SHAWN P. ROARKE
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Colorado Avalanche; 5. Pittsburgh Penguins; 6. Toronto Maple Leafs; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. New Jersey Devils; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Dallas Stars; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. Winnipeg Jets; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. Buffalo Sabres; 16. New York Islanders
DAN ROSEN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. Pittsburgh Penguins; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. New Jersey Devils; 8. New York Rangers; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Winnipeg Jets; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Los Angeles Kings; 14. Washington Capitals; 15. Seattle Kraken; 16. Buffalo Sabres
DAVID SATRIANO
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Pittsburgh Penguins; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. New Jersey Devils; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. New York Rangers; 11. Minnesota Wild; 12. Washington Capitals; 13. Los Angeles Kings; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Seattle Kraken; 16. Colorado Avalanche
PAUL STRIZHEVSKY
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Winnipeg Jets; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. New Jersey Devils; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Pittsburgh Penguins; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Seattle Kraken; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. New York Rangers; 14. Los Angeles Kings; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Washington Capitals
MIKE ZEISBERGER
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. Pittsburgh Penguins; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. New Jersey Devils; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Colorado Avalanche; 11. New York Rangers; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Los Angeles Kings; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Minnesota Wild; 16. Washington Capitals