Why John Tortorella's behavior cost Golden Knights a 'massive' draft pick in rare NHL punishment originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Vegas Golden Knights reached the conference finals for the fifth time in their nine seasons of existence with a win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night, but the celebration was interrupted Friday by a surprisingly strong punishment from the NHL.
The league docked the Golden Knights' 2026 second-round pick, which was set to be No. 61 overall, and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 for "flagrant" media violations just a day after the team advanced.
Tortorella, hired only seven weeks ago to replace Bruce Cassidy in a late-season shakeup, has been a rousing success so far by powering Vegas to a division title and Western Conference Final appearance.
Here's what you need to know about the NHL's punishment imposed on the Golden Knights.
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Why did Golden Knights the lose a draft pick?
The NHL announced Friday that the Golden Knights were docked a second-round pick and Tortorella was fined $100,000 "as a result of flagrant violations of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Media Regulations following Game 6 of their Second Round series against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, May 14."
Tortorella did not speak to the media after the game, going against league policy, and the Golden Knights also didn't open their locker room to the media. Some NHL media members aired their frustrations with Vegas' decision after the game.
The NHL's announcement Friday revealed this isn't the first time the Golden Knights have violated the media policy.
"The imposition of these penalties comes after previous warnings were issued to the Club regarding their compliance with the Media Regulations and other associated policies," the league's statement read.
The Golden Knights can appeal the decision and would have a hearing in New York next week if they chose to do so.
MORE:Why Golden Knights haven't let Bruce Cassidy interview with Oilers
What did John Tortorella do?
It's actually a matter of what Tortorella didn't do. The veteran coach chose not to speak to the media after the Golden Knights' series-clinching win over the Ducks, which goes against the NHL's media policy.
Vegas also didn't open its locker room to the media, instead bringing Shea Theodore out to speak to reporters in another room while two went to the team's press conference.
The NHL indicates in its announcement that the Golden Knights have been warned about violating the media policy by refusing to speak to reporters before, but Thursday's events appear to have been the final straw for the league.
Tortorella was hired in late March and, despite his success, doesn't have a contract beyond this season. The hire was initially made as a short-term arrangement with the potential to be more permanent, according to the team, and it's unclear whether the Golden Knights' media violations will affect Tortorella's chances of sticking around beyond this season.
MORE:What Kris Knoblauch's firing means for Connor McDavid
John Tortorella fines
Tortorella has now accumulated more than $300,000 in fines in his coaching career, as he had racked up $162,000 in fines before joining the Flyers, according to the Baltimore Banner's Giana Han.
Tortorella was fined $50,000 for refusing to leave the bench after a game misconduct penalty in 2024 and now has an additional $100,000 on his record for media violations in Las Vegas.
Golden Knights draft picks 2026
The Golden Knights are now down to four picks in the 2026 NHL Draft:
Round
Overall pick
3
93
5
157
6
189
7
221
The NHL's decision leaves Vegas in pretty dire straits if upheld, as the Golden Knights already traded their first-round pick to the Calgary Flames for Noah Hanifin in 2024 and don't have a fourth-round pick, either.
NHL media access policy
NHL rules state head coaches must be made available to reporters "daily during the Stanley Cup playoffs, following morning skates, practices and games." Rules also require teams to open their locker room to the media for 30 minutes after practices and games.
The Golden Knights were repeat violators of the policy, according to the league, and their punishment came after warnings were issued.
