The National Hockey League announced a change to the Ottawa Senators’ penalty for its role in the 2021 trade of Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights and the subsequent voided trade in 2022 between the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks.

Initially, the Sens were forced to forfeit a first-round pick in one of 2024, 2025 or 2026. After the team applied to the league for reconsideration of the initial penalty, the league has now modified the sanction. Instead of losing their pick, the Sens will now draft 32nd overall, the final first-round selection, in this summer’s 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The team will also pay a $1 million penalty to the NHL Foundation Canada.

To accommodate this modification, all teams who would normally have slotted behind the Senators will move up one position.

Should the Senators miss the playoffs and fall into the draft lottery, their odds will remain consistent with their actual finish, but they cannot win the lottery. Should they win, it will result in a re-draw.

The NHL says it will offer no further comment and considers the matter closed.

“We fully accept the modified sanctions the League has imposed today. We are grateful for the league and commissioner keeping an open mind on this issue and modifying the penalty,” Senators owner Michael Andlauer. “The Senators organization is appreciative the fine money will be directed to the NHL Foundation Canada, to help grow the sport in our country. We consider this matter closed and will have no further comments on the situation.”

Senators owner Michael Andlauer on the NHL modifying the #Sens disciplinary sanction for the invalid Dadonov trade:

“We fully accept the modified sanctions the League has imposed today. We are grateful for the League and Commissioner keeping an open mind on this issue and…

— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) March 12, 2026

The penalty stems from a 2022 trade deadline deal between the Golden Knights and the Ducks. Vegas agreed to a trade of Dadonov to the Ducks and a second-round pick in exchange for John Moore and the contract of Ryan Kesler. The trade was then voided when it was discovered that Dadonov’s contract had a 10-team no-trade provision with Anaheim included as one of the teams.

The Golden Knights contended that the Senators never informed them of the clause when they acquired the player the previous year.

The initial penalty was levied in the fall of 2023.

Currently a member of the New Jersey Devils, Dadonov was eventually traded by the Golden Knights to the Montreal Canadiens in the summer of 2023.