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.
• If you haven’t read former NHLer Nick Boynton’s story yet on The Players’ Tribune, well, stop whatever you’re doing and read it. Now. (The Players’ Tribune)
• A look into the reason why pending UFA John Tavares has not signed yet (The Crest on the Front)
• For many Oilers’ fans, bruising winger Milan Lucic needs to be shipped out of Edmonton. Here’s how to make that happen (Oilers Nation)
• William Karlsson needs a contract extension, and there could be trouble lurking in that deal (Knights on Ice)
• The Vegas Golden Knights had one hell of a first season in the NHL. But what is in store for their sophomore campaign? (Spectors Hockey)
• Why there’s no rush to extend the contract of Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
• The Ottawa Senators will suffer greatly until the truth is out in the Karlsson-Hoffman story (Ottawa Sun)
• Senators are a raging tire fire under Eugene Melnyk — so when will the NHL see fit to intervene? (The National Post)
• Sportsnet’s Sean McIndoe looks at10 NHL teams facing toughest off-season decisions (Sportsnet)
• A curious look at what the NHL combine’s bench press gauges for NHL prospects? (Canes Country)
• For the Calgary Flames, the numbers suggest the team should stick with the 3M line (TSN.ca)
• The Montreal Canadiens fired their Ontario scout just days before the NHL Draft (Montreal Gazette)
• Olli Määttä’s encouraging development opens up possibilities for the Pittsburgh Penguins (PGH Hockey)
• Former University of North Dakota women’s hockey players file discrimination suit (The Grand Forks Herald)
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck