Golden Knights lose draft pick, Tortorella fined by NHL for violating media access policy

AtlanticBruinsCanadiensLightningMaple LeafsPanthersRed WingsSabresSenatorsMetropolitanBlue JacketsCapitalsDevilsFlyersHurricanesIslandersPenguinsRangersCentralAvalancheBlackhawksBluesJetsMammothPredatorsStarsWildPacificCanucksDucksFlamesGolden KnightsKingsKrakenOilersSharksScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsFantasyNHL OddsNHL PicksNHL mock draftUFA big boardPlayoff bracketRed Light NewsletterStanley Cup Vegas coach John Tortorella did not speak to reporters after Game 6. Ethan Miller / Getty Images Share article1The Vegas Golden Knights must forfeit their 2026 second-round NHL Draft pick, and coach John Tortorella has been fined $100,000 by the league after Tortorella skipped his postgame news conference and the team failed to allow locker-room access to reporters after a victory in Anaheim on Thursday night. In the announcement of the punishment, the league said: “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 money from the fine will go to the NHL Foundation charity. After a 5-1 victory in Game 6 that sent Vegas to the Western Conference final, Golden Knights public relations staff also informed media members that the team would not open the dressing room for players to speak to the media, and cited congestion in the Honda Center hallway as staffers attempted to take bags to the team bus. Mitch Marner and Brett Howden spoke at a news conference, and Shea Theodore spoke briefly in a separate room outside of the visiting dressing room at the Honda Center. Ducks coach Joel Quenneville spoke at the podium after his team’s loss, and then Golden Knights public relations staff informed the media that Tortorella would not be speaking, but did not provide a reason. The NHL requires that head coaches be made available to reporters “daily during the Stanley Cup playoffs, following morning skates, practices and games.” Teams are also required to provide a 30-minute media access period to reporters in the locker room after practices and games. Previously in this postseason, Vegas canceled Tortorella’s scheduled media availability the day before Game 3 of the first-round series against the Utah Mammoth. This isn’t the first fine related to Tortorella’s conduct toward the media. He was personally fined $25,000 in August 2020 for walking out on his video news conference after only two questions, following the playoff elimination of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tortorella was also fined $50,000 and suspended for two games in March 2024, when he coached the Philadelphia Flyers, for unprofessional conduct toward the officials. In the first period of a 7-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tortorella was ejected from the game and refused to leave the bench area. In January 2020, Tortorella was fined $20,000 for critical comments regarding officiating at the Winter Classic outdoor game. The Golden Knights will face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference final, with Game 1 on Wednesday in Denver. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms