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.
• The situation revolving around Artemi Panarin’s contract status makes the Columbus Blue Jackets the most interesting second-half team. (The Hockey News)
• The hype train carrying Jack Hughes has caught the attention of the NHL. (Sporting News)
• Assessing Jim Montgomery’s shortcomings thus far in Dallas. (Defending Big D)
• How to cope without Dustin Byfuglien. (Jets Nation)
• If you think the San Jose Sharks are struggling, try watching them play. (Yahoo)
• PHT’s Adam Gretz assesses the first half of the Pittsburgh Penguins season and then looks ahead. (Pensburgh)
• David Pastrnak has all sorts of personality, as the Winter Classic showed. (ESPN)
• Bruins display their own version of the Four Horsemen at the Winter Classic. (Boston.com)
• Paul Stastny has arrived in Vegas. Better late than never, as they say. (SinBin.Vegas)
• Superstitions are the bane of sports. The Washington Capitals still love them, however. (NBC Sports Washington)
• Guess that the biggest moment for the New York Islanders was in 2018. (The Sports Daily)
• Like the legal stuff? Here’s a breakdown of the possible effects surrounding the Stanley Cup beer mug lawsuit. (Sports Illustrated)
• They were playing each other, so the Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators decided to make a deal. (Canucks Army)
• A look at the possible goalies that the expansion draft could net Seattle. (Sonics Rising)
• Jeff Petry has exceeded expectations in Montreal (adding another blow to the Edmonton Oilers). (FanSided)
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