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NHL Strips Golden Knights’ 2026 Second-Round Pick, Fines John Tortorella $100,000

An in-person appeal next week follows prior warnings from the league.

Overview

  • The league announced the penalties Friday, calling them a response to flagrant media-rule violations after Vegas restricted access following Thursday’s Game 6 win in Anaheim.
  • Head coach John Tortorella skipped his postgame media session and the team kept the locker room closed, with only Mitch Marner, Brett Howden and Shea Theodore made available in brief settings.
  • The forfeited 2026 second-rounder cuts into Vegas’ near-term draft assets, with analysts noting the club’s highest pick this year is now in the third round.
  • The NHL said Vegas had been warned previously and will allow the club to seek an in-person appeal at the Commissioner’s Office in New York next week.
  • Several outlets, citing Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, reported the move stemmed from frustration over Brayden McNabb’s one-game suspension, a link not stated by the NHL.