The NHL has upheld sanctions levied against the Vegas Golden Knights for \u201cflagrant violations\u201d of the league\u2019s media access policy, standing by the ruling that the club will forfeit its 2026 second-round pick and head coach John Tortorella will be fined $100,000 after an appeal was heard on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Golden Knights president George McPhee and general manager Kelly McCrimmon attended a hearing at the NHL\u2019s head office in New York for the appeal. The penalties levied against the organization remained unchanged upon the conclusion of that meeting, leagues source told The Athletic. There remains a possibility that the situation could be reevaluated down the road if Vegas remains compliant with the rules.<\/p>\n
At the start of his previously scheduled news conference on Tuesday, the day before the start of the Western Conference final between Vegas and the Colorado Avalanche, McCrimmon read a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were today in New York,\u201d McCrimmon said, \u201cwhere we had a hearing with the National Hockey League regarding the events following Game 6. We missed a great opportunity that night to connect with our fans and share with them a victory in a playoff series. I\u2019ve always felt in a playoff series when you win a series, you galvanize the bond with your fanbase. We missed that opportunity by not having John available to do postgame. That\u2019s on John for failing to do that, that\u2019s on me as a general manager of the hockey club. That\u2019s not at the feet of our (communications) people who made other arrangements with each of you to accommodate the tight quarters in and around our dressing room postgame. We have no explanation other than to say we were wrong and to assure you that it will not happen again. The league has spoke on the matter, we have spoke on the matter. Neither John or I will be taking any questions on this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NHL handed down its punishment on Friday after Tortorella skipped his postgame news conference on Thursday night and the team failed to allow locker-room access to reporters following a Round 2-clinching victory in Anaheim. In announcing its decision, the NHL said: \u201cThe imposition of these penalties comes after previous warnings were issued to the club regarding their compliance with the media regulations and other associated policies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tortorella declined comment when asked about the NHL\u2019s ruling over the weekend, pointing to a team statement from a day earlier.<\/p>\n