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.
• Look who was hanging out with the Commissioner on Tuesday.
• Now that Henrik Sedin is no longer a Vancouver Canuck, the team has decided not to name a captain for the upcoming campaign. (NHL.com/Canucks)
• Sidney Crosby isn’t overly impressed with Capitals forward Tom Wilson’s decision-making on the ice. (Pensburgh)
• During a Q & A with Sportsnet, Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin admitted that he’s a sensitive guy and that he’s worried about his defense. (Sportsnet)
• Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is a huge fan of Cologne Sharks of the German League and it’s not because his dad is coaching the team. The Oilers will take on the Sharks in Germany on Wednesday. (NHL.com)
• Now that they have an incredible year under their belt, teams will be gunning for the Vegas Golden Knights. (Sinbin.Vegas)
• The Buffalo Sabres appear to be everyone’s sleeper pick heading into the 2018-19 season, but why is that? (ESPN)
• Avs forward Nathan MacKinnon is focused on becoming the next great hockey player after he put together an incredible season last year. (Sports Illustrated)
• Here’s some scary news: Canadiens forward Jacob de la Rose, who’s just 23 years old, suffered a cardiac episode after Saturday’s preseason clash in Ottawa. (Habs Eyes on the Prize)
• Pens forward Phil Kessel received the Excellence in Cancer Awareness award, and he opened up about his own battle with testicular cancer in 2006. (Pittsburgh Tribune)
• Henrik Lundqvist admitted that he has to stay focused on his game plan if he’s going to go back to being one of the elite goalies in the NHL. (New York Post)
• It sounds like Brady Tkachuk won’t be available for the Senators’ regular-season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night. (Ottawa Citizen)
• TSN’s Travis Yost explains why he believes there’s room for Jets forward Patrik Laine to find the back of the net more often than he already does. (TSN)
• The Anaheim Ducks have been known to play a physical brand of hockey, but they’re focusing on becoming a quicker team. (OC Register)
• The Rangers opening night roster is far from impressive right now. (Blue Shirt Banter)
• The Vancouver Canucks have banned their players from playing Fortnite or any other video game on the road. (Daily Hive)
• Speaking of video games, if you’re a fan of World of Warships, you’ll be able to use Alex Ovechkin as a character. (RMNB)
• Patrik Berglund is about to begin his first year as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, but he’s already become one of the leaders on the team. (Buffalo Hockey Beat)
• Former NHLer Paul Bissonnette plays “What’s in the Box” with Leafs forward Auston Matthews. This is classic:
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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.