All I want for Christmas

December 24, 3:53 PMChicago Blackhawks ExaminerDieter Kurtenbach

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Back in the day, I would have said for Bill Wirtz to sell the team to an aspiring group of anybodies. Those days are thankfully behind us, so I will have to come up with a new wish when it comes to the Blackhawks.

Some traditions are hard to break; I can tell you that.

I would cry if the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, and without a doubt I want that more than anything else for the 'Hawks, but that won’t come until the summertime, fingers crossed.

Looking at the team right now, there is not much left to be desired. Of course, it would be nice to have a No. 2 center, but I would much rather have two elite goaltenders and Patrick Sharp playing out of position. I would love for Adam Burish to show the same offensive upside as Ben Eager, and I would love to see Martin Havlat regain his Senators form.

But I suppose there is one wish that I would go to Santa with this season and it might make all my little wishes come true. And call it a pipe dream all you want, but it is the season of giving, and I think the Florida Panthers could give me something that would make me one of the happiest hockey fans in the world, and they’ll get something back  too.

The South Florida hockey organization is looking to cut some payroll (what’s new?) and are shopping their franchise player, Nathan Horton, very quietly. Horton makes $4 million against the cap and is under contract for four more seasons after this one is over.

This is scaring off some teams. However, for most who have seen him play (which is a very low number) they fall in love with him. As a player, he’s a big forward, who has the deft shooting touch of a much smaller man. He plays tenaciously. He’s a perfect throwback hockey player. Perfect!

Why are the Panthers trying to get rid of him? Because they are fools! This festive season, I would love for the Blackhawks to swoop in and take him out of their hands. The Panthers are currently $2 million under the salary cap.

What’s that you say? Martin Havlat makes $6 million a year and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season? Well, that might just be too perfect to work. I mean, the Panthers want to dump salary, what better way to do it than to get a player who will wipe off the books at the end of the year?

Hell, throw in a second-round draft pick while you are at it.

God bless us, every one!

But sometimes things are too good to be true, so Santa, all I want for Christmahanaquanzika is Nathan Horton for Martin Havlat and a second-round draft pick.

Oh and the Stanley Cup, but Horton will do for now, I understand the economy is tough and you might not be able to get around to giving me some hardware for a while.

What’s that? You can put the Cup on layaway for us to pick up in a few months?

It’s a Christmas miracle!