The National Hockey League announced today that it has decided to modify the disciplinary sanction originally imposed on the Ottawa Senators franchise for its participation in the transfer of player Evgenii Dadonov from the Ottawa Senators to the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2021 and the trade carried out in March 2022 between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Anaheim Ducks, which was invalidated.
The initial penalty established that the Ottawa Senators would lose their first-round selection in one of the 2024, 2025 or 2026 Drafts. Later, the organization asked the league to reconsider the measure, mainly pointing out the change in ownership and supervision within the club, a situation that, according to the institution, altered the relevance of the punishment applied at that time. After a complete review of the case, the league determined that it is appropriate to adjust the sanction and established a new resolution.
The new measure indicates that the Ottawa Senators will lose their 2026 first-round selection, but will receive the right to choose in the 32nd position in the NHL Draft that same year, the last of the first round. The organization may not exchange or transfer this selection right. In addition, the team must pay a fine of one million Canadian dollars.
To implement this change in the draft order, the club’s usual position in the first round, defined by the Draft Lottery or by its final placement in the regular season, will be voided and replaced by the 32nd pick. Other organizations that would normally have been placed behind the Ottawa Senators will move up one position in the selection order from their original placement.
Regarding the Draft Lottery, if the Ottawa Senators do not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, the team will retain the lottery odds that are normally assigned based on its finishing position in the regular season. However, the franchise will not be able to win the draw. If any of the number combinations assigned to Ottawa are selected in either of the two draws, a new draw will be made. This procedure guarantees that the probabilities of the rest of the teams that do not qualify for the Playoffs increase equally.
The $1 million fine will go to the NHL Foundation Canada, a charity sponsored by the league whose mission is to strengthen communities and improve the quality of life across Canada through hockey, through initiatives aimed at expanding access to the sport and promoting positive experiences on and off the ice.
The league said it would not comment further on this matter.
