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.
• Great read on the value of the two-way forward in today’s NHL. [Sports Illustrated]
• The St. Louis Blues’ mission this season is to prove last year was no fluke. [Post-Dispatch]
• Jason Spezza was disappointed after being a healthy scratch for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ home opener. He’s expected to get into the lineup Friday. [Toronto Star]
• The top line of the Calgary Flames can give even more this season. [Calgary Herald]
• How the Dallas Stars will handle being Stanley Cup contenders this season. [Dallas Morning News]
• Pheonix Copley hits the waiver wire as Ilya Samsonov wins the backup goalie job for the Washington Capitals. [RMNB]
• Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson on his name being in trade rumors: “What’s the saying? Don’t believe everything you hear and half of what you read.” [Pittsburgh Hockey Now]
• The door is open for Barrett Hayton to shine with the Arizona Coyotes. [Five for Howling]
• Why the New York Rangers signed Micheal Haley to a contract. [Blue Seat Blogs]
• One more terrible year would be good for the Ottawa Senators. [TSN]
• Ryan Miller talks about why he came back for another season with the Anaheim Ducks. [OC Register]
• Five reasons for optimism with the Chicago Blackhawks. [NBC Chicago]
• David L. Steward, minority owner of Blues, has vowed to promote diversity in hockey, saying he wants to ‘replicate’ what he’s done in NASCAR. [NHL.com]
• From bobble legs figures to Kachina fanny packs to a “Predators Gravy Boat,” here’s look at some of the top game-night giveaways this season. [Puck Junk]
• On Victor Olofsson and his road to a spot in the Buffalo Sabres’ lineup. [Buffalo Hockey Beat]
• There will be lots of heavy lifting for the Los Angeles Kings’ core four to turn things around. [LA Times]
• Finally, the Evander Kane-Ryan Reaves feud continues:
“Poor Evander. So tragic. I wish he was on the ice. It’s always more fun when he’s on the ice. He’s weak. He gets taken down by a ref. It happens. Gotta get in the gym, no?”
— Ross DiMattei CBS Philadelphia (@RossDiMattei) October 1, 2019
-@reavo7five on @evanderkane_9’s 3 game suspension to start the season @KTNV @GoldenKnights #GoKnightsGo pic.twitter.com/Kn0QMffkkL
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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.