Twas the night before deadline, when all through the town ...
Not a creature was stirring, not even Connor Brown;
The contracts were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that William Nylander's soon would be there;
The Leafs were nestled all snug in their beds, ...
While visions of Cups danced in their heads; ...
Babs working practice, Kyle working the cap, ...
Auston settled down for a long pre-game nap, ...
When out on the ice there arose such a clatter, ...
Mitch sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. ...
Away to the window he flew like a flash, ...
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. ...
Was that Lou on the breast of the new-fallen snow? ...
With an offer sheet in hand and a pen down below? ...
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, ...
But Carlton The Bear, who ate tiny reindeer, ...
With a little old driver, so lively and canny, ...
I knew in a moment it had to be Shanny ...
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, ...
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; ...
"Now, MITCHY! now, BROWNIE! now, RIELLY and MATTY! ...
On, FREDDIE on PATTY on, J.T. and KAPPY! ...
To the top of the standings! To the top of the table! ...
Now dash away! Dash away! Show what you're able."
As Maple Leafs know, with millions of dollars on call ...
Win now they should do because they can't sign 'em all. ...
So to the standings-top the coursers they flew, ...
With the sked full of victories, and Freddie Gauthier too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof ...
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. ...
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, ...
Down the chimney he came with a bound.
He was dressed all in paisley, from his head to his toe, ...
And his clothes were all glimmering, blinding you know; ...
Rock'em Sock'em videos he had flung on his back, ...
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! ...
His cheeks were like roses, my gawd it's Don Cherry! ...
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, ...
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
MacLean spoke the puns, Cherry held tight in his teeth, ...
And the smoke out his ears encircled his head like a wreath; ...
He had a broad face and wanted to talk some more ...
On Gilmour, and Gretzky and the great Bobby Orr.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, ...
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; ...
A wink of his eye, he knew what he was doin' ...
'The Leafs are good,' said the old Bruin
Then he spoke to Willie, 'Open your eyes ...
'You won't beat Kyle, he's smart, analytically wise.' ...
But I heard him all mad, ere he drove out of sight, ...
"Fighting for money, instead of fighting on ice."
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