The Buffalo Sabres have been playing some of their best hockey with six straight wins entering their matchup Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators. Their recent success has put them right back into the playoff conversation. It is pretty remarkable considering where they were just a few weeks earlier at the beginning of December and in the basement of the Eastern Conference.

Last week, the fans got an early Christmas present with a new general manager in Jarmo Kekakalinen who replaces Kevyn Adams. When looking ahead to the rest of the season, these are four other things that fans should have on their wish list for their Buffalo Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres extend Alex Tuch

The first thing on their wish list is something that has been lingering since the summer and that is a new contract for forward Alex Tuch. He has been one of the Sabres best players the past few seasons and is continuing to produce once again this season with 29 points through 34 games.

After Adams was let go, it was reported that Tuch was seeking a deal larger than the eight-year contract Adrian Kempe signed with the LA Kings, with an AAV of $10.625 million. At the time, the two sides were not in the same ballpark, but with Kekalainen now leading the front office, he might be able to sell Tuch on his vision for the team and get him signed to a new deal.

Resolution to their three-goalie experiment

While signing Tuch to an extension might be their biggest focus, the first thing that the Sabres are probably going to be able to get done is moving one of their goalie. At Jarmo Kekalainen’s first press conference he said that he wanted to put an end to the three-goalie experiment.

The only reason he probably hasn’t done it yet is that the NHL currently has a roster freeze that took effect at midnight on December 20th. The freeze will be lifted after December 27th and NHL teams once again will be able to waive or trade players.

For the Sabres though, it isn’t clear which player they are going to look to move to get down to a traditional two-goalie rotation. Alex Lyon would make sense as he is an older veteran and under contract through next season.

However, Lyon has been a big reason for the Sabres’ recent success and won five straight games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could be moved but his contract, which has three more seasons after this one at an AAV of $4.75, makes that move tougher.

Colten Ellis, who was claimed off waivers at the beginning of the season, has looked good at times and is viewed highly by the front office. It will be interesting to see what the team does in what should be Jarmo Kekalainen’s first big move as general manager.

Josh Norris avoids injuries for the remainder of the season

The Buffalo Sabres last season would trade Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators and in return get Josh Norris. At the time of the trade, the scouting report was that he is an excellent hockey talent but can’t stay healthy.

Unfortunately, that has proven true in almost a full calendar year with the Buffalo Sabres as he was playing in only his 13th game since joining the team. While the injuries have been a big storyline, when he is on the ice, Norris has been a difference maker for this team as he has 10 points in 10 games, including one goal and four assists on the power play.

He is without question a difference maker for this offense and if he can stay healthy, it will be a huge boost to this offense.

Buffalo Sabres end their playoff drought

While all these things would be nice, the thing atop every Buffalo Sabres fans list this Christmas has to be an end to their 14-season playoff drought. They not only own the longest playoff drought in the NHL, but they are also tied with the New York Jets for the longest playoff drought across the four major professional sports.

The Jets already are guaranteed to extend their drought to 15 seasons with a 3-12 record and eliminated from playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Sabres still have a chance to avoid joining them and were only three points back of a Wild Card spot entering Tuesday.

They are certainly in the mix for a playoff spot and the win streak has helped accomplish that. The pressure will be on to remain in the mix and finally end that drought.