The Vegas Golden Knights are paying a price for not following the NHL’s media rules. On Friday, the league announced the team would forfeit a 2026 second-round draft pick due to “flagrant violations” of postgame media availability policies.
The penalty stems from the team’s refusal to speak to reporters after their Game 6 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. Vegas won 5-1, clinching the series 4-2 and advancing to the Western Conference finals.
According to reports, the Golden Knights did not open their locker room to the media after the game. Only a few players spoke in a separate room or at the podium. Head coach John Tortorella did not address the media and also skipped the postgame handshake line.
The NHL stated that the franchise had received “previous warnings” about following media guidelines. Tortorella was also fined $100,000 as a direct punishment.
After the announcement, the Golden Knights issued a statement acknowledging the penalty but declined further comment.
The team may appeal the sanctions during a scheduled meeting at the commissioner’s office in New York next week.
Tortorella joined the Golden Knights in March after the surprising dismissal of Bruce Cassidy, just three weeks before the regular season ended. The move has paid off so far, as Vegas returns to the conference finals three years after winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Next up for the Golden Knights is a series against the Colorado Avalanche, who finished the regular season with the best league record. The Avalanche eliminated the Minnesota Wild 4-1 in their series, capped by a 4-3 overtime comeback win on Wednesday. The best-of-seven conference finals begin next Wednesday.
The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26-27, with the Toronto Maple Leafs holding the first overall pick. While Vegas forfeits its second-round pick, the team will still have a first-round selection—likely a late one given their conference finals berth.