Welcome to the PHT Morning Skate, a collection of links from the NHL and around the hockey world. Have a link you want to submit for the PHT Morning Skate? Email us at phtblog@nbcsports.com.
• Good read on how the NHL and NHLPA found labor peace in a pandemic. [Sportsnet]
• Why this CBA extension is not a win for the players. [New York Post]
• Stanley Cup Qualifiers schedule. [PHT]
• The NHL salary cap is staying flat with this new CBA. [PHT]
• On the NHL’s plan to not be transparent with COVID-19 cases: “If someone misses a game, it could be because he suffered a concussion. Or it could be because he has COVID-19. It’s up to fans — and other players sharing the same hotels and facilities inside one of two bubbles — to guess.” [National Post]
• “I don’t know what greater indictment you need of the United States’ response to the virus than the NHL picking up its puck and retreating to Canada.” [Washington Post]
• The NHL plans to use fan videos as in-game cheers during the Return to Play. [ESPN]
• Kirill Kaprizov, Ilya Sorokin, and Alexander Romanov are among the players who have until 5 p.m. ET Wednesday to sign in order to participate in Phases 3 and 4. They would be able to practice with their teams but unable to play. [NHL.com]
• After so much time off, how will coaches coach their teams as we go right into meaningful games? [CP via TSN]
• Hurricanes’ forward Justin Williams on keeping safe: “You need to tighten up the bubble of people you’re hanging out with and make your inner circle pretty darn small. Guys are going to be cognizant of that.” [News and Observer]
• Why Corey Crawford is prepared for the Blackhawks’ series against the Oilers. [NBC Sports Chicago]
• What the Maple Leafs can expect from Auston Matthews this summer. [Leafs Nation]
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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.