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 made a special birthday wish come true for a young fan battling cancer. (ESPN)
• The Penguins will be without Patric Hornqvist for the foreseeable future as he hits IR. (Pensburgh)
• 10 former NHLers shared stories about fighting Bob Probert. (The Hockey News)
• It’s time for the San Jose Sharks to start looking in the mirror. (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• The Canadiens have recalled top prospect Ryan Poehling from the minors and they’ve placed Jesperi Kotkaniemi on IR. (TSN)
• Former NBA commissioner David Stern said Alex Ovechkin’s contract is the dumbest thing he’s ever seen. (NBC Sports Washington)
• Here are seven keys for the Capitals in order for them to win another Stanley Cup. (Nova Caps)
• Subpar refereeing is hurting the NHL’s image and credibility. (Sinbin.Vegas)
• In former NHLer news, Scott Darling has signed with HC Innsbruck of the Austrian league. [HC Innsbruck]
• And Scottie Upshall has signed a one-year deal in Switzerland with HC Ambri-Piotta. [Swiss Hockey News]
• Oilers Nation breaks down Edmonton’s last seven-game segment. (Oilers Nation)
• Should the Islanders keep rolling Derick Brassard out on the wing? (The Sports Daily)
• The Kings aren’t very good right now, but here are six reasons to keep watching their games. (Jewels from the Crown)
• The Red Wings have a lack of talent and they have coaching issues too. That’s not a good combination. (MLive)
• Panthers owner Vinnie Viola is co-owner of Vino Rosso, the horse who won the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday. [America’s Best Racing]
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Joey Alfieri is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @joeyalfieri.