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June 12, 2026
Apr 19, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and center Brock Nelson (11) on the bench during game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche’s season-ending press conference took place and Joe Sakic had a lot to say about the coaching staff. The NHL announced the Hart Trophy winner later in the afternoon. Also, the Carolina Hurricanes are one win away from the Stanley Cup!

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 12.

Colorado Hockey Now

Joe Sakic was joined by Josh Kroenke at the season-ending press conference on Thursday. Sakic fielded most of the questions, among them, I began the presser by asking about head coach Jared Bednar’s status within the organization. Here’s what they both had to say about the bench boss and his staff.

Also Read:Avalanche’s Coaching Staff Remains the Same For 2026-27

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov was announced as the Hart Trophy winner on Thursday. He narrowly defeated Connor McDavid in voting, with Nathan MacKinnon finishing third. Macklin Celebrini was next, and Nick Suzuki rounded out the top five.

My ballot had the same five names, but my top three were in reverse order. I had MacKinnon first, McDavid second, and Kucherov third.

Cale Makar was on three ballots, getting one fourth-place vote and two fifth-place votes. Scott Wedgewood made his way onto one ballot with a fourth-place vote. And perhaps the most surprising, one voter had Gabe Landeskog fifth on their Hart Trophy ballot.

Also Read:Nathan MacKinnon Places Third In Hart Trophy Voting

Stanley Cup Final Recap

  • Game 1: Vegas Golden Knights 5 at Carolina Hurricanes 4 (VGK leads 1-0)
  • Game 2: Vegas Golden Knights 3 at Carolina Hurricanes 4 OT (Series tied 1-1)
  • Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes 4 at Vegas Golden Knights 5 OT (VGK leads 2-1)
  • Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes 5 at Vegas Golden Knights 3 (Series tied 2-2)
  • Game 5: Vegas Golden Knights 2 at Carolina Hurricanes 4 (CAR leads 3-2)
  • Game 6: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights (June 14 at 6 pm MT)
  • Game 7: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes (June 17 at 6 pm MT if necessary)

Around The NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Grading the job done by Kyle Dubas. The several home runs and one glaring mistake.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Why Jordan Kyrou is a realistic target for the Devils this summer.

San Jose Hockey Now: Joe Pavelski confirmed that he interviewed for the Maple Leafs job. Here’s what he had to say.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers need depth defensemen, and the free agent market will have plenty of options for them.

Edmonton Hockey Now: The Oilers reportedly wanted to trade Darnell Nurse this summer. Now it’s official that the defenseman has requested a trade to make sure it happens. 

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