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.
• Here’s a list of the five strangest signings yet in free agency. (The Hockey News)
• Don Cherry isn’t finished yet. (CBC.ca)
• Jake Gardiner will make any team’s backend better. (TSN.ca)
• The growing number of high-end, American draft picks is no fluke. (Seattle Times)
• All of those moves by the Toronto Maple Leafs have taken the team a step back. (Yahoo Sports)
• How Joe Pavelski became the face of San Jose. (Fear the Fin)
• The future is bright in the Big Apple. (BlueSeat Blogs)
• Kevin Hayes can take the Philadelphia Flyers to another level. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
• Do the Edmonton Oilers still have a shot of bringing in a UFA? (Oilers Nation)
• Vegas and mystery team talking to ECHL club about affiliation. (The Journal Gazette)
• Arizona hoping Phil the Thrill will do what Phil the Thrill does: score. (NHL.com)
• The Chicago Blackhawks have improved, but is it enough? (Featurd)
• How could Pavelski, Perry and Gurianov change Dallas’ look up front? (Sportsday Dallas)
• Flames GM Treliving calculating equations with impending contracts for Tkachuk, Rittich, Bennett. (Calgary Sun)
• Mitch Marner, from a pure hockey perspective. (FanSided)
• Color of Hockey: Miley launches coaching career with Junior Hurricanes. (NHL.com)
• Welcome to the Golden Age of American hockey talent. (ESPN)
• Five Ducks who will make a comeback in 2019-20. (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