The NHL has sanctioned the Vegas Golden Knights, forcing them to forfeit their 2026 second-round draft pick and fining head coach John Tortorella $100,000 for “flagrant violations” of the league’s 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Media Regulations.
The punishment stems from incidents following the Golden Knights’ Game 6 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night (May 14, 2026), which advanced Vegas to the Western Conference Final. Tortorella reportedly refused to speak with the media after the game, and the team failed to make the locker room available to reporters, violating NHL media access rules.
This is not the first time the Golden Knights have been warned about media policy compliance. The league emphasized that previous warnings were issued to the club.
It is being speculated that Tortorella and the team were trying to send a message following Brayden McNabb’s suspension for interference. Elliotte Friedman says he guarantees it was a reaction, even though most believe McNabb deserved a suspension.
NHL Releases a Statement
“The National Hockey League announced today that, as a result of flagrant violations of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Media Regulations… the Vegas Golden Knights will forfeit a second-round pick in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. In addition, Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella has been fined $100,000.”
John Tortorella fined $100K for not speaking with the media
They add:
“The imposition of these penalties comes after previous warnings were issued to the Club regarding their compliance with the Media Regulations and other associated policies. Vegas has been offered the opportunity to appeal these penalties to the Commissioner’s Office. That appeal would be held in person next week in New York.”
Impact on Vegas
The Golden Knights will now have one fewer second-round selection in the upcoming June 2026 NHL Draft. This is big. Unlike some of the Department of Player Safety slaps on the wrists or minimal fines that mean very little, the loss of a second-round draft choice is a major deal.
They can appeal the decision next week, but it seems unlikely the NHL, who made the decision, will budge, especially if the Golden Knights have been warned multiple times.
The Golden Knights released their own statement, saying they were aware of the NHL’s announcement, but would have no further comment at this time.
