Morning Hits: Avs, Sharks, Hawks, Flyers, Leafs, Preds and Expansion
  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Curtis Glencross was released from his Maple Leafs PTO and quickly signed a PTO with the Avalanche. Avs Jesse Winchester is still being bothered by concussion-like symptoms. Jack Skille (PTO) injured his hip on Sunday, but could be ready for Thursday’s game.
  • Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News: With each passing day, it looks like Tomas Hertl will be the Sharks third line center. He’s been used on the wing since joining the Sharks, but played center in the Czech Republic. Timo Meier was sent to Halifax of the QMJHL. The Sharks still have three roster cuts – likely two forwards and one defenseman.
  • NHL.com: Flyers Sean Couturier is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
  • Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: Matt Hunwick could be paired with Maple Leafs captain Dion Phanuef. Hunwick plays the way coach Mike Babcock likes.

    “I watched his practices even 10 years ago and you saw how he wanted the ‘D’ activating and where he wanted them to be,” Hunwick said. “Some of the stuff we’re doing now is something I saw (back then). I kind of have an idea, but I still have to go out and execute.”

  • Michael Traikos of the Toronto Sun: Three reasons why William Nylander should make the Leafs, and three reasons why he shouldn’t.Why he should

    1. He is good enough to play in the NHL
    2. He gets to be coached by Mike Babcock
    3. He makes the Leafs better

    Why he shouldn’t

    1. He will get more ice time
    2. He needs to develop alongside his peers
    3. There is no rush

  • Adam Vingan of the Tennessean: The Predators are planning on lessen the minutes played by their top pairing – Roman Josi and Shea Weber – and they can some capable defenseman to help out – Seth Jones, Barret Jackman, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis.

    “He’s a guy I think that can play that much,” Laviolette said of Weber. “The question is is it good for him to play 26, 27, 29 minutes a night sometimes, and the answer is probably no once it gets into the high 20s. Every game presents different challenges. … There’s an opportunity based on the development of our young defensemen to try and take a look at that.”

  • USA Today: Las Vegas and Quebec City have been invited to make presentations to the executive committee today.

    “Evaluation process will continue,” Daly wrote. “No defined timeline.”