Golden Knights coach John Tortorella speaks to the media after Game 3 on the team's first-round series. Rob Gray / Imagn ImagesMay 19, 2026Updated 12:42 pm EDTThe NHL has upheld sanctions levied against the Vegas Golden Knights for “flagrant violations” of the league’s 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.Golden Knights president George McPhee and general manager Kelly McCrimmon attended a hearing at the NHL’s 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.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: “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.”