The NHL came down hard on the Vegas Golden Knights for failing to fulfill media requirements following Thursday's series-clinching win over the Anaheim Ducks.
The Golden Knights will forfeit a 2026 second-round pick, while head coach John Tortorella was fined $100,000, the league announced Friday.
The Golden Knights didn't open their dressing room to reporters after Game 6, and Tortorella declined to speak with the media, according to The Athletic's Jesse Granger. Mitch Marner and Brett Howden spoke at the podium, while Shea Theodore was brought to a side room to speak with reporters. Marner and Howden appeared rushed while completing their media requirements.
"We have a bus in 10 (minutes) that Torts will leave us on," Marner said.
Mitch Marner and Brett Howden were worried that John Tortorella and the bus were going to leave them at the arena 😭 pic.twitter.com/mgokDqjiH6
— BarDown (@BarDown) May 15, 2026
Vegas' displeasure with Brayden McNabb's one-game suspension may have played a role in the team's decision to avoid the media, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
"I think it was a bit of a temper tantrum. They were mad about the McNabb suspension," Friedman told "The Fan Hockey Show" on Friday.
McNabb was suspended one game for a hit that injured Ducks forward Ryan Poehling in Game 5.
The club had received previous warnings about "compliance with the media regulations and other associated policies," the NHL said.
The Golden Knights have the opportunity to appeal the penalties to the commissioner's office in person next week.
Vegas is left with just four picks in the 2026 draft: one each in the third round, fifth round, sixth round, and seventh round.
