Breaking: Golden Knights Get Verdict From Appeal On 2nd-Rd. Pick Punishment
The Vegas Golden Knights met with the NHL on Tuesday morning to appeal the significant penalties the league handed down for their media violations last week. Many observers around hockey felt that the stiff punishment of losing a second-round pick in this year's draft would be rescinded or lightened. But the NHL is taking a hard stand on this, and the punishment stands.
The Vegas Golden Knights appealed the NHL’s punishment in person this morning.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) May 19, 2026
It was determined that the penalties - a $100,000 fine for John Tortorella and loss of a second round draft pick - will remain as assessed.
As reported by Emily Kaplan, "It was determined that the penalties - a $100,000 fine for John Tortorella and loss of a second-round draft pick - will remain as assessed."
The NHL brought down the tough, extensive disciplinary action after Tortorella refused to appear for the postgame news conference following the Golden Knights' elimination of the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 last week. The team's locker room was also closed to the media, and they refused to have some members of the squad mic'd up for the broadcast.
The league noted at the time that this isn't the first time that the team has been warned about their failure to comply with its Media Regulations and other policies. Hence, the hefty penalties.
Vegas now has only one pick in the first four rounds of this year's draft. They'd previously traded away their first-round pick in a package to the Calgary Flames for a first-rounder last year and other pieces. They traded their 4th-rounder for Anthony Mantha in a deal at the 2024 trade deadline.
The Golden Knights are also without their first- and second-round picks in the 2027 Draft.
Photo: © Rob Gray-Imagn Images
