The National Hockey League (NHL) recently announced that the Ottawa Senators will be forfeiting their first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft as punishment for violating trade rules. This is the first time in NHL history that a team has been penalized for such an infraction.
The violation occurred when the Senators traded forward Matt Duchene to the Columbus Blue Jackets in February 2019. The Senators allegedly provided the Blue Jackets with an additional asset, which was not disclosed in the trade. This asset was later revealed to be a first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
The NHL conducted an investigation into the matter and concluded that the Senators had violated league rules by not disclosing the additional asset. As a result, the league has decided to punish the team by taking away their first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
The Senators have expressed their disappointment with the decision, but have accepted it and are now focusing on the future. General manager Pierre Dorion has stated that the team will use this as an opportunity to rebuild and become a stronger team.
This incident serves as a reminder that teams must always abide by league rules and regulations. The NHL has made it clear that any violations of trade rules will be met with severe consequences. Going forward, teams should be sure to disclose all assets involved in trades to avoid similar penalties.
