Santa’s List: Top 5 Naughty and Nice Canes Players

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 23: Fans dressed as Santa Claus attend the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 23, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 23: Fans dressed as Santa Claus attend the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 23, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
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NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 23: Fans dressed as Santa Claus attend the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 23, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 23: Fans dressed as Santa Claus attend the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 23, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Through the various whispering of Santa’s elves and a few conversations with Santa himself, I have compiled a list of the top naughty and nice Canes.

For some players he will bring gifts, but others will receive nothing but coal. Everyone knows Santa’s Naughty and Nice Lists are always in flux. They never are a done deal until the eve of Christmas. So how are our favorite Hockey players faring on these lists? Through the various whispering of Santa’s elves and a few conversations with the jolly big man himself, I have compiled a list of the top naughty and nice players.

TODAY — Pictured: Santa Clause on Thursday, November 2, 2017 — (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
TODAY — Pictured: Santa Clause on Thursday, November 2, 2017 — (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) /

Remember, players on these lists are just the top five. If you feel that I have missed someone, then they might be on those lists, but just not in the top 5. Also remember that there are plenty holiday games to be played between now and Christmas. Some of these players may prove themselves to the fans and Santa in that time. Other players might fall from Santa’s grace and end up on the wrong list! If you feel a player is on the wrong list or should be on a list, comment below. Perhaps I can convince Santa to make a switch.

Here’s the naughty and nice lists for the Carolina Hurricanes after 23 games in 2017-18.

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 19: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes goes down in the crease and keeps his eye on the puck during an NHL game against the New York Islanders on November 19, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 19: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes goes down in the crease and keeps his eye on the puck during an NHL game against the New York Islanders on November 19, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

G. Carolina Hurricanes. CAM WARD. 1. Cam Ward has been on and off Santa’s naughty list so many times, Santa has a pencil dedicated to writing or erasing his name. Just last week in an <a href=

COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 28: Alexander Wennberg
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 28: Alexander Wennberg /

2. Justin Faulk has been many things for the Carolina Hurricanes. He has been The face of the franchise. The team’s all-star defenseman. Captain of the team while away. Mr.Queso when he scores. This has kept him on Santa’s Nice List. Recently however he has left the fans without much to cheer for. Only a single goal to his name so. His six assists leave much to be desired as well. On defense, he has let too many good plays get past him. Puck movement hasn’t been his forte either. All this has left him <a href=. D. Carolina Hurricanes. JUSTIN FAULK

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 2: Marcus Kruger
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 2: Marcus Kruger /

3. Markus Kruger came on the same trade with Teuvo Teravainen from chicago. While Turbo has been lighting up the scoreboard, Kruger has been quiet, collecting only 4 assists and no goals. Some will say that being the center of the fourth line doesn’t give as many scoring opportunities as those on the top two lines. That doesn’t stop Santa from noticing that Kruger is the third on the team in penalties behind Faulk and Williams. Faulk is already on the Naughty list and Williams has been scoring enough, including a goal out of the penalty box, to excuse it. Kruger joins Faulk on the Naughty list, but Santa can overlook penalties with a little more offensive achievement from the eighth year center.. C. Carolina Hurricanes. MARCUS KRUGER

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 26: Derek Ryan #7 of the Carolina Hurricanes digs for a puck covered by Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators during an NHL game on November 26, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 26: Derek Ryan #7 of the Carolina Hurricanes digs for a puck covered by Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators during an NHL game on November 26, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Carolina Hurricanes. DEREK RYAN. 4. Derek Ryan seems to find himself in the right place at the right time with the puck yet come away empty handed. In last <a href=. C

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 22: Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Kevin Hayes #13 of the New York Rangers make an attempt at the puck during an NHL game on November 22, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 22: Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Kevin Hayes #13 of the New York Rangers make an attempt at the puck during an NHL game on November 22, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

D. Carolina Hurricanes. BRETT PESCE. 5. Brett Pesce is another underachieving player this season. A face for the team and shoe-in for Santa’s Nice List before the season started. However Brett still hasn’t found any footing this season with a mere 3 assists. Santa prefers his defenseman to be physical and contribute offensively. Pesce has done neither very well so far this season and the Hurricanes have suffered for it. Only one other defenseman, Dahlbeck, has fewer shots. This lands Brett Pesce on the Naughty List.

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 13: Teuvo Teravainen #86 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring his first career hat trick during an NHL game against the Dallas Stars on November 13, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 13: Teuvo Teravainen #86 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring his first career hat trick during an NHL game against the Dallas Stars on November 13, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Carolina Hurricanes. TEUVO TERAVAINEN. 1. Turbo is not only Santa’s Nice List, he is also on every Chicago Blackhawk fan’s wish list too. Stop calling us, he is happy in raleigh. He has managed to get his <a href=. LW

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 26: Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators connects with Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL game on November 26, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 26: Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators connects with Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL game on November 26, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Jordan Stall doesn’t only centers the top line for the Carolina Hurricanes. He also leads the team as captain on home ice. While tied with Skinny for fourth on the team this season on points, he does leads the team with an impressive seven plus/minus. One of our <a href=. C. Carolina Hurricanes. JORDAN STALL

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 24: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes keeps the puck out of the reach of William Nylander 29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game on November 24, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 24: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes keeps the puck out of the reach of William Nylander 29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game on November 24, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Carolina Hurricanes. SEBASTIAN AHO. 3. At thanksgiving Sebastian Aho was the top <a href=. RW

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 13: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) al smiles during the 3rd period of the Carolina Hurricanes versus the Dallas Stars on November 13, 2017, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 13: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) al smiles during the 3rd period of the Carolina Hurricanes versus the Dallas Stars on November 13, 2017, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Carolina Hurricanes. JEFF SKINNER. 4. Jeff Skinner was the most exciting player to watch on the Canes last season. This season is no different. Santa enjoyed watching Skinny score last season and is enjoying watching him light the scoreboard this year. While he is currently having a small<a href=. LW

RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 29: Victor Rask #49 of the Carolina Hurricanes controls a puck on the ice during an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on October 29, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 29: Victor Rask #49 of the Carolina Hurricanes controls a puck on the ice during an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on October 29, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

5. A Lot of people assumed that Rask would end up on Santa’s Naughty List. It sure looked like he was on Coach Peter’s Naughty List. Last Season He wore an “A” along with Skinny, Faulk, and Stall. While Skinny Got to keep his “A” this season, Faulk and Stall get to share a “C”. Rask got… nothing. To top it off he was a healthy scratch for a few games while he was instructed to reset and focus. It payed off and Rask delivered in crucial games at home against Toronto and Nashville. Santa has noticed all this and expects Rask to keep it up in the face of all that adversary. He has earned his spot on the Nice List.. C. Carolina Hurricanes. VICTOR RASK

Next: 3 bold predictions for Carolina Hurricanes in December

We can only guess as to how the 2017 portion of this season will round out for the Canes. It starts on Dec. 1 against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Some of the players on the naughty list should contribute to break a losing streak of roughly half a decade to the Rangers at MSG.

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