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.
• How did Connor McDavid become such a good skater? Even when he wasn’t on the ice, he was always on his rollerblades. (Canadian Press)
• The Toronto Maple Leafs have been able to get into the playoffs over the last couple of years, but they’re tired of getting bounced in the first round. (Toronto Sun)
• Capitals Tom Wilson has crossed the line a lot since coming into the NHL. Here’s a look back at the timeline of all his suspensions. (Sporting News)
• Speaking of Wilson, The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell believes it’s time for the league to come down hard on him. (The Hockey News)
• Which goalie is the preseason favorite to win the Vezina Trophy? The answer may surprise you. (NHL.com)
• Sportsnet’s Ken Reid was a huge fan of hockey cards when he was a kid, so he looked back on his eight favorite cards growing up. (Sportsnet)
• Jack Hughes is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Which teams have the best odds of landing him next summer? USA Today breaks it down. (USA Today)
• Navy goalie Luke Markus got the opportunity of a lifetime, when he got the call to practice with the St. Louis Blues on Sunday morning. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• ESPN conducted their player poll, and it appears as though Connor McDavid has passed Sidney Crosby as the best player in the game right now. (ESPN)
• NHL.com got to sit down with Martin Brodeur regarding his new position within the Devils organization and much more. (NHL.com)
• RMNB breaks down the Pacific Division and explains why each of the teams is “trash”. (Russian Machine Never Breaks)
• Sports Illustrated answers one pressing question regarding each of the 31 teams across the NHL. (Sports Illustrated)
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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.