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.
• There’s no doubt that John Tavares leaving the Islanders will affect the Islanders immediately. (SNY)
• The Isles have made some solid moves this offseason, but the fact that they lost Tavares can’t be seen as anything but a failure. (USA Today)
• It sounds like Tavares will be playing on a line with Mitch Marner next season. That’s a significant upgrade for him. (Maple Leafs Nation)
• The Ottawa Senators made an official offer to Erik Karlsson’s camp, but GM Pierre Dorion didn’t want to share any details. (TSN.ca)
• Ilya Kovalchuk admitted that talks with Luc Robitaille and Rob Blake helped him settle on Los Angeles as his next NHL destination. (LA Kings Insider)
• Now that the Kings have locked up Drew Doughty, what does it mean for their future and their capologist? They’ve tied up a lot of money into an old core. (ESPN)
• The Jets were unable to lock up Paul Stastny, but now it’s time for them to take care of some in-house contractual issues if they want this to be a successful summer. (Jets Nation)
• James van Riemsdyk didn’t come cheap for the Philadelphia Flyers, but the fact that he’s in the fold is a step in the right direction for the team and for GM Ron Hextall. (Broad Street Hockey)
• Even though the Hurricanes have added Petr Mrazek to their depth chart, they’re still gambling between the pipes. (Raleigh News & Observer)
• Henrik Zetterberg’s health will determine whether or not he can continue suiting up for the Red Wings going forward. (MLive)
• Niklas Hjalmarsson is a Stanley Cup champion, but he admits that he still has a lot to prove after signing an extension with the Coyotes. (Arizona Sports 98.7 FM)
• The Canucks added some grit and attitude to their lineup when they signed Antoine Roussel in free agency. (The Province)
• The Flames found a way to get some help in the faceoff circle with the acquisitions they’ve made over the last week. (Flames Nation)
• The Sporting News takes a look back at all the action that happened back on June 29, 2016 when Shea Weber, P.K. Subban, Adam Larsson and Taylor Hall were all traded. Oh yeah, Steven Stamkos also signed a mega deal to stay in Tampa. (Sporting News)
• With a weak hall-of-fame class shaping up for 2019, will the hockey world give Hayley Wickenheiser the spotlight she deserves? (Greatest Hockey Legends)
• How has Gary Bettman done during his tenure as NHL commissioner? Well check out his legacy report card for all the answers. He got some A grades, but he also received failing grades, too. (Featurd)
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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.