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.
• Gritty celebrates Philadelphia by dressing up as some of the city’s iconic figures. [Philadelphia Magazine]
• Ranking the 10 worst contracts in the NHL. (The Score)
• Kessel ready to take on a leadership role, despite not being the ‘rah-rah’ type. (Sportsnet)
• Taking stock of the NHL goaltending picture. (TSN.ca)
• Brian Boyle is expecting a contract to come one cap picture settles itself. (NHL.com)
• A look at how Dion Phaneuf changed the NHL timeline. (Puck Prose)
• Jake Guentzel is looking at taking a bigger offensive role on the new-look Penguins. (NHL.com)
• Ron Francis, the type of leader you want to build your franchise around. (Sportsnet)
• The NHL’s top 10 regression candidates for 2019-20. (The Athletic)
• Leafs’ cap stickhandling a cruel reminder of Canucks moves gone by. (Canoe)
• Panarin’s Putin criticism is rare for Russian athletes. (RadioFreeEurope)
• Exactly How Good Is Kasperi Kapanen? (Editor in Leaf)
• O’Ree humbled by consideration for Congressional Gold Medal. (NHL.com)
• The Penguins need to make a trade to solve their salary cap crunch. (Pensburgh)
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