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.
• Seattle general manager Ron Francis comes under heavy criticism for his handling of the Carolina Hurricanes player abuse situation. [Seattle Times]
• Former Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen opens up about his time playing for Mike Babcock, telling a Swedish newspaper outlet that Babcock is the worst person he has ever met. [Detroit Free Press]
• Kyle Okposo considered retirement following his latest concussion. [Buffalo Hockey Beat]
• Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom is representing himself in his next round of contract negotiations. He is eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season.[ESPN]
• The case of two different Tyler Ennis’ and a near mistaken diagnosis. [TSN]
• Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom has been granted a leave of absence from the team so he can attend his father’s memorial service. [Vancouver Canucks]
• Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak continues to make the case he is the NHL’s best bargain player. [The Hockey News]
• The Montreal Canadiens placed backup goalie Keith Kinkaid on waivers. [Montreal Gazette]
• Who (and what) the Pittsburgh Penguins need to lean on to get through this tough injury stretch. [Pensburgh]
• A new app allows players to rate coaches, agents. [USA Today]
• The Philadelphia Flyers capped off a special November and entered December with their most points since the 1995-96 Eric Lindros season. [NBC Philadelphia]
• The Arizona Coyotes’ tumultuous November still produces a lot of positives. [AZ Central]
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Adam Gretz is a writer forPro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line atphtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.