Thanksgiving rhyme: 99 things to be thankful for in NHL

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption NHL Wraparound: Who is impressing so far in the NHL? SportsPulse: NHL insider Kevin Allen looks at who has been impressive at the quarter mark of the season.

After covering the NHL for many years, here are 99 observations about this season that make me thankful for the sport.

David Poile’s deals. Connor McDavid’s wheels. All of California’s ex-Golden Seals.

Calgary Flames taking the train. Brent Burns’ mane. Shot blockers in the shooting lane.

Luongo is witty. Kadri is gritty. Bob’s goals-against average is itty-bitty.

Kessel has flash.Chara can bash. Taking a stand against the two-handed slash.

Stamkos’ ability to make you pay. Tkachuk’s toughness is in his DNA. No one in the NHL has feet of clay.

Marchand trying to keep it clean. Big Buff playing extra mean. Looking for Eddie O on my TV screen.

Intriguing Flyer nicknamed the Ghost. A defenseman in St. Louis impresses us the most. Now four competitive teams on the West Coast.

More: 10 things we're not thankful for in the NHL

McPhee’s work in Vegas beyond reproach. Gudas needs to change his approach. The problem in Edmonton is not the coach.

Islanders are winning on home ice. Acquiring Evander Kane could add more spice. When it came to goaltending, Vegas had to roll the dice.

Kucherov scoring memorable goals. Keller finding plenty of holes. Hellebuyck making believers of all of his trolls.

Emrick always offers an elegant call. The Oilers have suffered a terrible fall. Remember when the Hartford Whalers played at a mall?

Slashing crackdown has pushed scoring up. Please remember Hischier’s only a pup. Could Winnipeg really win the Cup?

Goalie interference is still hard to judge. When it came to Athanasiou, the Wings wouldn’t budge. Do Fletcher's Wild need one more trade nudge?

Sakic was right in slow-playing the trade. When it comes to dealing, Poile is never afraid. Still can't believe what the Senators paid.

Roenick is crazy for handling a rattlesnake. Crosby should tell critics, "Go jump in the lake." Give Tavares what he wants for heaven’s sake.

Feels like Predators are lying in the weeds. This is a team that has planted many seeds. Nashville now has centers who can make juicy feeds.

Nielsen is a shootout wizard. Tarasenko could score in a blizzard. Obviously, Roenick laughs at a lizard.

That Columbus group is tough as nails. The team in Montreal has come off the rails. Improving ‘Canes deserve more ticket sales.

Beware of the Flames because they have fire. Turgeon in L.A. was quality hire. Race in the Central will go down to the wire.

Torts wants more from Columbus players. 'Hawks could still be dragon slayers. When it comes to Ovechkin, don’t believe naysayers.

Babcock deserves whatever he’s earning. Imagine Matthews when he’s done learning. Devils are in first -- the tide is turning.

The most fascinating GM is Stevie Y. Trade rumors about Galchenyuk refuse to die. Is it time for Nash to wave goodbye?

Schwartz taking advantage of time and space. Larkin exploding like he’s in a drag race. No reason to be on Henrik Lundqvist’s case.

Flyers goofed in trading Schenn. Lightning playing as if they have too many men. Still can’t put the Oilers back together again.

Boeser’s shot release is truly wicked. Devils stronger than we predicted. Does McDavid vs. Crosby leave you conflicted?

Impressive Kings. Surprising Wings. Pens in uphill climb to win more rings.

Houston vs. Seattle for NHL’s next team. Hedman is a coach’s dream. Sabres suffering from low self-esteem?

Malkin remains a monstrous beast. Four new playoff teams in the East. How do you explain the Vegas scoring feast?

Leafs’ bright future seems crystal clear. Mantha goes to the net like a longhorn steer. Shouldn’t Weight be in the mix for coach of the year?

Johnny Hockey is amazingly shifty. Butcher thriving by being slick and nifty. Jagr believes he can play past 50.

Seguin always quick with a quip. Hockey a major hit on the Vegas strip. Weary of players giving refs too much lip.

Couturier shows a scoring knack. Players can no longer defend with a hack or a whack. We’re crossing our fingers for Eddie Lack.

Matthews showing why he deserves a letter. Winnipeg Jets looking better and better. Are these Johnny T’s last days in an Islanders sweater?