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.
• Brooks Orpik’s last month has been a whirlwind, and given where he ended up after where he started, it’s raising some eyebrows. (The Hockey News)
• A man allegedly tried to impersonate the owner of the Boston Bruins to gain favor with a tree service company after one fell on his house. (The Hour)
• Here’s a list of six breakout candidates for the 2018-19 season. (Sportsnet)
• A look at Steve Yzerman and the versatility of contract clauses, ones that have allowed him to stack his team with talent. (Raw Charge)
• The Dallas Stars defense could be quite good next season and that could bode well for secondary scoring. (Defending Big D)
• Earlier this week, a forecast for Connor McDavid was made. Now, Leon Draisaitl’s report is ready to go. (Copper and Blue)
• Former No. 3 pick Dylan Strome is ready to prove his worth in the NHL. (NHL.com)
• Mario Lemieux’s gargantuan castle in Quebec is for sale. BREAKING NEWS: It’s bloody expensive. (Trib Live)
• Will the rearguard for the Montreal Canadiens be better this season? (All Habs)
• These vintage pictures of current NHL stars are brilliant. (The Province)
• NHL Concussion Litigation: What’s the likelihood of success for the former players? (Maple Leaf Hotstove)
• The NHL has several teams in re-build mode. Which ones are close to contending? (ESPN)
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