Denver Gazette beat writer Kyle Fredrickson takes you around the NHL and inside the Colorado Avalanche.

WHAT I’M HEARING

“I’m not concerned about the past at all. Our plan is set. It started last night after (Game 6). Met this morning, did video (and will) do the same tomorrow. Get ready to play. I know it’s 3-3. The concern of the previous three games certainly didn’t affect Edmonton. And it won’t affect us.”

—Panthers coach Paul Maurice ahead of Game 7 against Edmonton in the Stanley Cup final.

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WHAT I’M THINKING

—Edmonton made my Stanley Cup final prediction (Panthers in six) looks silly. It didn’t seem that way initially. But give the Oilers props for clawing out of a 3-0 series hole to force Game 7. They finally solved Sergei Bobrovsky in net with a combined 18 goals scored over three straight wins. Connor McDavid is making a strong case for the Conn Smythe Trophy (42 points in 24 playoff games). 

—What happened to the Panthers? They failed to close out this series in three consecutive tries. Their confidence might be shaken entering Game 7. But the no-panic attitude from Maurice is exactly what Florida needs to win a championship. Prepare for high drama to decide which team takes home Lord Stanley after a wildly entertaining Cup final.

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WHAT I’M READING

—NBA champion Jayson Tatum and Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk attended the same high school in St. Louis. The Boston Celtics forward is pulling for his old classmate (via ESPN). 

🗣️  Jayson Tatum’s message for Matthew Tkachuk! 🏀🏒 pic.twitter.com/MWYqdkibsc

— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

—Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar will travel to Las Vegas on Thursday for the NHL Awards ceremony. They are finalists for the Hart Trophy and Norris Trophy, respectively. Makar feels like a longshot to win. But it seems likely MacKinnon will claim his first MVP. What is certain? The Denver Gazette (yours truly) will be in Las Vegas to document Avalanche history.

—Andrew Cogliano retired last week from the NHL after 17 playing seasons between five teams. The fourth-line winger will transition into an Avalanche front office role, assisting various development and scouting departments. Cogliano, 37, was a media favorite. He listened closely to questions and provided insightful answers. Wishing him good luck with the next step of his hockey life. 

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NHL INSIDER

The Avalanche are set to pick at No. 24 overall in the NHL draft held Saturday and Sunday in Las Vegas. Here is a closer look at three prospects for consideration late in the first round.

EJ Emery

Position: Right-shot defenseman

Team: U.S. National Under-18 Team (committed to North Dakota)

Hometown: Compton, Calif.

Size: 6-3, 185

Bottom line: He fits the mold of Colorado’s elite skating and athletic defensemen, but with greater size. The Avalanche need to beef up their blueline. Emery checks plenty of boxes.

Julius Miettinen

Position: Left-shot center/wing

Team: Everett (WHL)

Hometown: Helsinki, Finland

Size: 6-3, 201

Bottom line: The Avalanche need more center depth. Miettinen is a two-way player who blossomed offensively in his rookie WHL season. Elite size is another positive.

Yegor Surin

Position: Left-shot center/right wing

Team: Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Hometown: Voronezh, Russia

Size: 6-1, 192

Bottom line: Surin is an extremely strong and fast skater with budding offensive skill. The 17-year-old Russian needs time to develop. But his upside is huge.

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THE LIST

Top rated North American skater prospects in the upcoming draft in Las Vegas (per NHL.com).

1. Macklin Celebrini, Center, Boston University (NCAA)

2. Artyom Levshunov, Defenseman, Michigan State (NCAA)

3. Cayden Lindstrom, Center, Medicine Hate (WHL)

4. Zeev Buium, Defenseman, Denver (NCAA)

5. Zayne Parekh, Defenseman, Saginaw (OHL)