The National Hockey League has adjusted the disciplinary action against the Ottawa Senators for their involvement in a 2021 trade of forward Evgenii Dadonov. Instead of forfeiting a first-round draft pick, the Senators will select 32nd overall in the 2026 NHL Draft and pay a $1 million fine. The change follows a request from the team citing new ownership.
The NHL announced on March 12, 2026, that it has modified the penalty originally imposed on the Ottawa Senators in November 2023. That sanction required the forfeiture of a first-round pick in the 2024, 2025, or 2026 NHL Draft due to the team's failure to provide Vegas Golden Knights with Evgenii Dadonov's 10-team no-trade list during a July 2021 trade from Ottawa to Vegas. This oversight led to the invalidation of a subsequent March 2022 trade attempt from Vegas to the Anaheim Ducks, as Dadonov had not waived his no-trade clause.
The Senators, under new owner Michael Andlauer—who took over and fired general manager Pierre Dorion on the day of the original penalty—requested reconsideration, arguing that the change in ownership altered the appropriateness of the punishment. The league agreed, amending the sanction so Ottawa forfeits its 2026 first-round pick but receives the 32nd overall selection, the last in the first round. The team cannot trade or transfer this pick and must pay a $1 million (CDN) fine directed to the NHL Foundation Canada, which supports hockey access and community programs.
To implement this, Ottawa's normal 2026 first-round position—determined by draft lottery or regular-season standing—will be reassigned to 32nd, with other clubs shifting up one spot if behind. For the draft lottery, if the Senators miss the 2025-26 playoffs, they retain their assigned odds based on regular-season finish but cannot win; any selection of their combination triggers a redraw, enhancing odds for other non-playoff teams.
"We fully accept the modified sanctions the league has imposed today," Andlauer said in a statement. "We are grateful for the league and commissioner keeping an open mind on this issue and modifying the penalty. 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."
This modification echoes a 2010 precedent where the New Jersey Devils had a penalty reduced, forcing them to the end of the 2014 first round after an initial forfeiture and fine for a rejected contract with Ilya Kovalchuk. The NHL stated it would offer no further comment.
