Morning Bag Skate: 9-16-18

BLACKHAWKS

**5 takeaways from the Blackhawks’ first scrimmage (The Athletic)

**Approaching 39, Kunitz believes he has more to offer (Chicago Sun-Times)

**Nearing 30, Kane is revitalized and ready to return to playoffs (Chicago Tribune)

**What does Murphy’s injury mean for Jokiharju? (SCH)

CENTRAL DIVISION

**No matter where Girard goes, his family is always with him (The Athletic)

**Allen says he’s feeling better, could be on ice ahead of schedule (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

**Cleared for takeoff, Avs’ Zadorov has learned his lesson (The Denver Post)

**For Julius Honka, coaching change and restored confidence key to truly finding his game with Stars (The Athletic)

**Two new Wild wrinkles: Greenway at center, Granlund leading the power play (The Athletic)

**Wild T25U25: Kaapo Kahkonen at No. 11 (Hockey Wilderness)

NHL

**Bettman: NHL envisions playing regular-season games in China (SCH)

**Bruins hang on to beat Flames in shootout in China (Stanley Cup of Chowder)

**Dotchin clears waivers (Raw Charge)

**Penguins coach Sullivan taking leave of absence for father’s death (Pensburgh)

**Kuznetsov could be part of Caps’ new PK plan (The Washington Post)

**Could this be Lundqvist’s last season with the Rangers? (Blueshirt Banter)

**Tavares takes first steps toward being comfortable with Leafs (Sportsnet)

**McDavid even faster, ready to carry Oilers to redemption (Sportsnet)

**Canucks’ divisive Gudbranson hoping healthy season can win over fans (Sportsnet)

**Carter says his ankle is improving, but questions linger if it will ever return to normal (The Athletic)

**Panthers T25U25: Ekblad at No. 2 (Litter Box Cats)

**Red Wings T25U25: Rasmussen at No. 4 (Winging It In Motown)

**Kings T25U25: Brickley at No. 8 (Jewels From The Crown)

HOCKEY WORLD

**Coaching staff diversity in NCAA leads to success (The Ice Garden)