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.
• Joel Ward hasn’t officially retired yet, despite reports on Monday stating he’d hung up his skates for good. “I’m always open to catch on a team,” he said. [Color of Hockey]
• Will 2020 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Lafrenière follow in Auston Matthews’ footsteps and play next season in Switzerland? The QMJHL’s Rimouski Océanic and Lafrenière’s agent deny the Swiss report. [Swiss Hockey News]
• Peter Forsberg is entering the agent business joining up with Claude Lemieux at 4sports Hockey. [4 SportsWorld]
• Who’s hit the most posts? Who’s blocked the most shots? Who’s perfect in the shootout? [The Hockey News]
• A ranking of every new NHL coach this season. [ESPN]
• Opposites off the ice, Brayden McNabb and Nate Schmidt have formed a solid pairing for the Vegas Golden Knights. [Las Vegas Sun]
• The Black Girl Hockey Club had a memorable weekend in Nashville attending the Predators-Blues game and the NWHL All-Star Game. [Color of Hockey]
• Jaroslav Halak is starting to play like he did earlier this season. [Bruins Daily]
• Longtime NHL tough guy Brian McGrattan is now helping players deal with life and issues off the ice. [Sportsnet]
• “A former Canadian diplomat says the National Hockey League should hold off finalizing plans to hold two preseason games in China this fall.” [TSN]
• These guys may not get the pub, but a number of New York Islanders are playing vital roles for the first-place club. [Islanders Insight]
• Will Washington Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky stay or go? [NBC Washington]
• More patience is needed in Edmonton. [Oilers Nation]