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 big story so far in the Stanley Cup Final? Defense, of course. (TSN)
• The Bruins want to be able to deliver hits themselves so they are mostly indifferent to the Oskar Sundqvist suspension. (WEEI)
• Boston sports fans have not always been spoiled with dynasties. (Sports Illustrated)
• Carl Gunnarsson’s overtime goal was a good reminder that the Blues are not a team that is just going to roll over. (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
• Vladimir Tarasenko is quietly staying the St. Louis Blues’ best. (Bleedin’ Blue)
• How the Blues and Bruins can take control of the Stanley Cup Final. (Sportsnet)
• After a difficult season the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to move defender Nikita Zaitsev. (The Leafs Nation)
• Former Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings coach Willie Desjardins is becoming the head coach of the Medicine Hat Tigers. (Medicine Hat News)
• The Colorado Avalanche should look into making a Phil Kessel trade. (Mile High Hockey)
• NWHL expansion is in jeopardy. (The Ice Garden)
• Comparing the Seattle expansion timeline to the Vegas expansion timeline. (NHL To Seattle)
• How the New Jersey Devils are utilizing the NHL scouting combine. (New Jersey Devils)
• Rethinking the NHL scouting combine. (Faceoff Circle)
• The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed defender Jusso Riikola. (Pensburgh)
• Would a Jason Zucker for Adam Henrique trade be something that could work? (Anaheim Calling)
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Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.