DENVER – A handful of top NHL draft prospects spoke, questions remain about the status of a pair of Colorado Avalanche forwards and the Bolts prepare for a comeback effort. Here’s the latest notes from the Stanley Cup final:
– Top 2022 NHL draft prospects Conor Geekie, Matthew Savoie, Shane Wright, and Cutter Gauthier were in attendance on Monday before doing some media interviews. All are expected to be top 10 picks for the draft, with Shane Wright sitting as the top-rated prospect. The Montreal Canadiens hold the first overall pick.
– Wright said he believes he’s ready to step into the NHL right away next season, regardless of where he lands. The first pick in 2021, Owen Power, elected to spend an extra year in college before signing with the Buffalo Sabres late in the season.
– Nazem Kadri skated solo before practice again, practicing with a stick for the third-straight practice after suffering a hand injury against Edmonton. Still no update on his condition.
– Andrew Cogliano practiced with the main group again, and Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said that Cogliano is “possibly an option” for Game 2.
– Jack Johnson said he just recently graduated from the University of Michigan. He spent two years there before turning pro with the Los Angeles Kings in 2007. Johnson took courses during non-playoff years and during breaks due to COVID-19.
– Tampa Bay’s Corey Perry on being resiliant after a loss: “You have to play with a little extra urgency in your game because you don’t want to go down by two before going home.”
– Perry continued: “You get there at such a young age and you think it’s going to happen over and over and over again. It took me 13, 14, 15 years to get back. Now it’s three in a row. It’s exciting. It never gets old.”
– The Lightning didn’t skate on Saturday.
– Sunday is a travel day for both teams, with practice to resume on Monday.
