The National Hockey League has modified the sanction tied to evgenii dadonov by replacing the Senators’ forfeiture of a first-round pick with the club selecting 32nd overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and paying a $1 million fine to the NHL Foundation Canada. The change reshuffles first-round slots for teams that would normally pick behind Ottawa and narrows Ottawa’s upward mobility in the draft lottery.
Evgenii Dadonov trade fallout
That sanction traces to the July 2021 trade that sent evgenii dadonov from the Ottawa Senators to the Vegas Golden Knights and to a March 2022 deal between the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks that was later voided when Dadonov’s contract was found to include a 10-team no-trade provision listing Anaheim. The Golden Knights contended that the Senators did not inform them about the clause before the 2021 transaction; the initial penalty was levied in the fall of 2023. The pattern suggests failures around disclosure of the no-trade clause were the proximate cause of the multi-team fallout and the league’s original disciplinary response.
Senators 32nd pick shift
Under the amended sanction, Ottawa will no longer forfeit a first-round pick in 2024, 2025 or 2026; instead the club’s first-round position will be reassigned to the 32nd overall selection in the 2026 Draft and the Senators will pay a $1 million fine directed to the NHL Foundation Canada. The club is not permitted to trade or transfer that 32nd overall selection, and all teams that would normally have slotted behind Ottawa in the first round will each move up one spot. The figures point to the league imposing a monetary penalty while limiting Ottawa’s draft flexibility and protecting the draft order for other clubs.
NHL lottery rule change
If the Senators miss the playoffs and fall into the draft lottery, their lottery odds will remain consistent with their regular-season finish but the club will not be eligible to win the Lottery; a selection of Ottawa’s number combination in either Lottery draw will result in a re-draw. The NHL says it will offer no further comment and considers the matter closed, and Senators owner Michael Andlauer has publicly accepted the modified sanctions and welcomed the fine being directed to the NHL Foundation Canada. That response signals the Senators view the league’s amended remedy as a final resolution of the matter.
The next confirmed development is the 2026 NHL Entry Draft this summer, when the Senators will hold the 32nd overall pick; if Ottawa misses the playoffs and qualifies for the draft lottery, the league’s re-draw rule means the club cannot improve that position through the Lottery and any drawn Ottawa number will be re-drawn.
