Welcome to the PHT Morning Skate, a collection of links from around the hockey world. Have a link you want to submit? Email us at phtblog@nbcsports.com.
• Injured Leafs forward Auston Matthews skated on Monday, but his status is still unclear going forward. (TSN.ca)
• Kevin Shattenkirk admitted that comments former head coach Barry Trotz said about him not being a top pairing defenseman bothered him. But Trotz’s explanation to him after a recent game was enough to smooth things over. (NY Post)
• It sounds like T.J. Oshie will return to the Caps lineup for tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars. (Washington Post)
• Kings head coach John Stevens was back in Philadelphia last night, and he has a lot of fond memories of his time there. (LA Times)
• With all of Eugene Melnyk’s recent comments about potentially moving the Sens, check out the financial state of the team. (Senschirp.ca)
• Speaking of Melnyk, Vice Sports argues that Ottawa deserves better than him. (Vice Sports)
• NHL.com looks at which Team USA World Junior players could make an impact in the NHL in the next two years. (NHL.com)
• The Golden Knights play a simple game, but it’s been working for them so far. (Sinbin.Vegas)
• Will the New York Islanders be awarded the Belmont site? We’ll find out on Wednesday. (SNY.TV)
• Adam Gretz has a great piece about Mitch Marner’s inability to score goals this season. (Fan Rag Sports)
• Team USA’s women’s team will have a trio of young goaltenders on their roster for the upcoming Olympics. (Sporting News)
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Joey Alfieri is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @joeyalfieri.