Golden Knights lose draft pick, Tortorella fined

The Vegas Golden Knights have been penalized for violating NHL media regulations, resulting in the forfeiture of a second-round draft pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a $100,000 fine for head coach John Tortorella.

The NHL announced these sanctions following the Golden Knights' 5-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, where the team failed to open the dressing room to the media and Tortorella declined to speak to reporters.

This incident follows previous warnings issued to the club regarding compliance with media regulations. The Golden Knights stated they were aware of the NHL's announcement but would not provide further comment.

They now face losing their second-round pick for four consecutive draft cycles, as they already traded away their first-round pick to the Calgary Flames. The team has the option to appeal these penalties at an in-person meeting with the commissioner's office next week in New York City.