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.
• Why Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting deserves the Calder Trophy over Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Trevor Zegras, and others. [TSN]
• The NHL suspended Auston Matthews two games for his high cross-check on Rasmus Dahlin during Sunday’s Heritage Classic. [PHT]
• Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones on his 34-game goal drought: “I think I’m playing pretty well, moving the puck well. I just can’t put the puck in the net. It’s just frustrating the hell out of me this entire year.” [NBC Sports Chicago]
• Teams are reportedly pursuing 2023 draft picks over those that could be used for the 2022 NHL draft. [Daily Faceoff]
• Meet the 2022 Minnesota State High School All Hockey Hair Team and marvel at all that salad:
• Now that Josh Manson is off to Colorado, how should the Ducks approach the trade deadline? [Crashing the Pond]
• It’s a lost season for the Islanders but their veterans are still showing the kids why winning matters. [NY Hockey Now]
• From Tony DeAngelo to Pavel Buchnevich to Jack Eichel, ranking the top acquisitions of the 2021-22 season so far. [NBC Sports Edge]
• Reviewing the adidas limited set of retail throwback sweaters that features the likes of the Sharks, Penguins, Kings, and Nordiques. [Hockey by Design]
• It’ll be Northeastern vs. Minnesota Duluth and No. 1 seeded Ohio State vs. Yale in the women’s Frozen Four. [The Ice Garden]
• Capitals forward Anthony Mantha talks about coming back from shoulder surgery and last season’s deadline trade. [NHL.com]
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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.