The NHL docked the Vegas Golden Knights a second-round pick in next month’s draft and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 on Friday for violating media access rules after their series-clinching Game 6 victory at Anaheim on Thursday night.
Tortorella refused to talk to reporters after Vegas routed the Geese 5-1 to maneuver on to face Colorado within the Western Conference final.
The Golden Knights also didn’t open their locker room in accordance with league and Players’ Association-negotiated regulations.
The NHL in an announcement announcing the punishment said the penalties for these “flagrant violations” come after previous warnings were issued to the Golden Knights.
The team has been offered the chance to appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman’s office in person on the league’s Latest York headquarters next week.
“The Golden Knights are aware of today’s announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim,” the team said in an announcement posted to social media. “The organization could have no further comment.”
Tortorella is latest to the team.
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The franchise pulled the stunning move in late March of firing Bruce Cassidy, its Stanley Cup-winning coach, and hiring the 67-year-old journeyman coach with just eight games left within the regular season.
Tortorella’s agreement is to see the team through the playoffs, and a choice on a more long-term arrangement can be made afterwards.
He was not within the league this yr when Vegas brought him on six weeks ago but has 24 NHL seasons as a head coach under his belt.
Tortorella was an assistant for the U.S. on the Milan Cortina Olympics when it won gold.
A yr ago, he was the one run out of a corporation when Philadelphia fired Tortorella with nine games to go.
He coached Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup title in 2004 and is 770-648-37 with five teams overall.
Vegas will now tackle the Colorado Avalanche within the Western Final.
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