Vegas Golden Knights get big penalty for media evasion

The team is losing a 2026 second-round pick and its head coach is getting a $100,000 fine.

May 15, 2026, 3:18 PM

Head coach John Tortorella of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on during in Seattle on April 9, 2026. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL docked the Vegas Golden Knights a second-round pick in next month’s draft and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 on Friday for violating media access rules after their series-clinching Game 6 victory at Anaheim on Thursday night.

Tortorella refused to speak to reporters after Vegas routed the Ducks 5-1 to move on to face Colorado in the Western Conference final. The Golden Knights also did not open their locker room in accordance with league and Players’ Association-negotiated regulations.

The NHL in a statement announcing the punishment said the penalties for these “flagrant violations” come after previous warnings were issued to the Golden Knights. The team has been offered the opportunity to appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman’s office in person at the league’s New York headquarters next week.

“The Golden Knights are aware of today’s announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “The organization will have no further comment.”

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