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.
• Section 328 looks at the reasons why Ron Francis is no longer the general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes. (Section 328)
• It sounds like Barry Trotz will turn to Philipp Grubauer more often while Braden Holtby gets his game back on the rails. (NBC Sports Washington)
• Team USA star Hilary Knight will continue her career with the Montreal Canadiennes of the CWHL. (Montreal.thecwhl.com)
• The NHL and NHLPA are trying to get players to pay attention to life after hockey so that they can continue living comfortable lives. (ESPN)
• Expect Capitals blue liner John Carlson to hit the jackpot if he hits the market this summer. (Fan Rag Sports)
• The Tampa Bay Lightning will be getting Peter Budaj back soon. So how should they manage the three goalies on the NHL roster? (Raw Charge)
• Pension Plan Puppets looks at every transaction GM Lou Lamoriello has made since taking over with the Leafs. (Pension Plan Puppets).
• The New York Islanders have been searching for a true number one goalie for a while, but how do their current netminders stack up? (Eyes on Isles)
• Tough news for the Rangers, as Chris Kreider was forced to leave last night’s game against Tampa Bay. (New York Post)
• The Florida Panthers still use some “tough guys” on their fourth line. Even though they’ve been rolling of late, you have to wonder if that’s the right strategy. (The Rat Trick)
• This Blues fan writes about how Brett Hull made him fall in love with the game of hockey. (St. Louis Game Time)
• TSN.ca’s Travis Yost takes a deeper look at Edmonton’s struggles when Connor McDavid isn’t on the ice. (TSN.ca)
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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.