PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.
Erik Cole tells Dave Stubbs that he thinks owners are “locked-in” on having a lockout. (Montreal Gazette)
Matt Cullen doesn’t know how a lockout can be avoided, although he says that he’s more optimistic about something possibly getting done around the “real” deadline of Sept. 21 - when camps start firing up. (Star Tribune)
Pierre LeBrun’s fascinating 1987 Canada Cup piece covers many bases, most interestingly how Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux learned to play together. (ESPN via Greatest Hockey Legends)
Brandon Worley looks back at the “silent brutality” of Derian Hatcher. (Defending Big D)
The Neutral brings up a chin-scratching question: Why isn’t anyone seeking free agent Andrei Kostitsyn? (Fear the Fin)
David Krejci doesn’t seem too bothered by the fact that he’s become the new go-to guy for Boston Bruins trade rumors. (ESPN Boston)
Pete Jensen thinks that Vladimir Tarasenko could be a fantasy hockey sleeper during his rookie season with the St. Louis Blues. (NHL.com)