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? Email us at phtblog@nbcsports.
• Mathew Barzal will have a bit of a homecoming when the Islanders visit the Kraken Tuesday night. The forward played four seasons with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds. [Islanders]
• When he hits the ice in Seattle, Zdeno Chara will tie Chris Chelios for most NHL games played (1,651) by a defenseman. [NHL.com]
• The Bruins looked real darn impressive during their 5-1 rout of the Avalanche on Monday afternoon. [NBC Sports Boston]
• A post-face off slash on linesman Michael Cormier won’t result in punishment for Nathan MacKinnon. [PHT]
• To help their goaltending depth, the Maple Leafs acquired Carter Hutton from the Coyotes for future considerations. [TSN]
This was hilarious. Six dudes battling in the corner for a puck that’s not there 😂 pic.twitter.com/3eKGyIPKAe
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 22, 2022
• Watch out for the Flames, they are turning into quite a wagon. [Sportsnet]
• Recapping a silver medal Olympics for the U.S. women’s team. [The Ice Garden]
• With less than a month now until the NHL trade deadline, Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot is expected to have plenty of suitors. [The Hockey News]
• “A Manitoba hockey player has been suspended after a weekend game in which he appeared to make a racist gesture against a visiting team from Waywayseecappo First Nation.” [CBC]
• Who are the top penalty minutes leaders for each NHL team? [NBC Sports Edge]
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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.