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.
• Former Michigan coach Red Berenson, three-time Olympic medalist Natalie Darwitz, Nashville Predators GM David Poile, Leland “Hago” Harrington, the first American-developed player to record a hat trick in the NHL, and ex-NHL referee Paul Stewart were inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Wednesday night. Late USA Hockey executive Jim Johannson was honored with the Lester Patrick Trophy. [U.S. Hockey HOF]
• Weezer will be your 2019 NHL Winter Classic (Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET; NBC) entertainment at Notre Dame Stadium when the Boston Bruins take on the Chicago Blackhawks. [Hollywood Reporter]
• The “college hockey line” is working quite well for the Bruins. [Bruins Daily]
• Andrei Vasilevskiy is on the verge of returning for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He could be in goal tonight vs. Toronto. [NHL.com]
• Will the Detroit Red Wings ultimately decide to trade Jimmy Howard or keep him? [Detroit News]
• Guy Boucher’s future is among many questions the Ottawa Senators need to answer. [TSN]
• Brent Flahr follows Chuck Fletcher from Minnesota to become the Philadelphia Flyers’ Vice President and Assistant General Manager. [Flyers]
• Teenage defensemen are taking over the NHL. [EP Rinkside]
• Speaking of teenage defensemen, Miro Heiskanen is living up to expectations with the Dallas Stars. [ESPN]
• Connor Hellebuyck has rebounded nicely, which is good for the Winnipeg Jets. [Sportsnet]
• A look at Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving’s penchant for dealing first-round picks. [Flames Nation]
• The Derick Brassard trade has done what it was supposed to do. [PensBurgh]
• Teams playing above their heads need to be realistic about their playoff chances. [Yahoo]
• Looking at the NHL’s best forward duos this season. [Nucks Misconduct]
• Ken Hitchcock is having quite the positive affect on the Edmonton Oilers. [The Point]
• A high school club hockey player has been suspended indefinitely from USA Hockey activities after he struck a defenseless player twice with his hockey stick during a game on Sunday. (With video) [WFAA]
• Finally, Darren Dreger was on Wednesday Night Hockey to talk about the the rumors in the trade market:
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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.