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Why the NHL punished Golden Knights so much for media violation
TL;DR
The NHL penalized the Vegas Golden Knights by stripping them of a second-round pick in the 2026 draft and fining coach John Tortorella $100,000 for violating media policies after their Game 6 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
Key points
- Golden Knights advanced to Western Conference Finals
- NHL penalized Golden Knights for media policy violation
- Tortorella fined $100,000 for refusing media interaction
- Vegas lost a second-round pick in 2026 NHL draft
- McNabb's suspension impacted team dynamics
Mentioned in this story
John TortorellaBrayden McNabbRyan Poehling
Las Vegas Golden KnightsAnaheim Ducks
The Las Vegas Golden Knights are heading back to the Western Conference Finals after securing a 4-2 second-round series win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night, but it isn't all good news in Sin City.
Following the 5-1 Game 6 win, longtime NHL coach John Tortorella did not line up for postgame handshakes, and he refused to speak to the media. Now, the league is making the Golden Knights pay for it.
On Friday, the NHL stripped Vegas of a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft for what it deemed a "flagrant" violation of league media policies. Tortorella was also personally fined $100,000 for his antics.
According to a report from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet 590 in Toronto, Las Vegas' frustration stemmed from the NHL's decision to suspend defenseman Brayden McNabb for Game 6 after a hit that injured Ducks forward Ryan Poehling in Game 5.
The league said the decision to strip the Golden Knights of a draft pick came after "previous warnings" about violations of media policy.
Las Vegas is hoping to defeat the Colorado Avalanche and advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in the franchise's short history. Perhaps capturing its second Stanley Cup would be enough of a consolation with one fewer pick coming in June's draft.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Golden Knights' severe punishment for media violations, explained
Q&A
What punishment did the NHL impose on the Golden Knights?
The NHL stripped the Golden Knights of a second-round pick in the 2026 draft and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000.
Why was John Tortorella fined by the NHL?
John Tortorella was fined for refusing to speak to the media and not participating in postgame handshakes after a playoff victory.
What led to the NHL's decision to suspend Brayden McNabb?
Brayden McNabb was suspended for Game 6 due to a hit that injured Ducks forward Ryan Poehling in Game 5.