NHL Spares Senators First-Round Pick in Nullified Trade Case

Team will pay $735,000 fine instead of forfeiting 2024-26 first-rounder

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:35pm

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The NHL has decided not to make the Ottawa Senators forfeit a first-round draft pick for their role in a 2021 trade that was later nullified. Instead, the Senators will get the 32nd and final pick in the first round and pay a $735,000 fine to the NHL Foundation Canada.

Why it matters

The decision reflects the league's consideration of the Senators' change in ownership, which occurred after the initial punishment was levied. It also sets a precedent for the NHL reducing penalties in certain cases involving contract and trade issues.

The details

In July 2021, the Senators traded forward Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights, but failed to provide Vegas with Dadonov's 10-team no-trade list. This led the league to initially rule that the Senators would forfeit a first-round pick in 2024, 2025 or 2026. However, after new owner Michael Andlauer fired then-GM Pierre Dorion and hired Steve Staois, the league decided to alter the punishment.

  • The initial punishment was levied on November 1, 2023.
  • The Senators traded Evgenii Dadonov to Vegas in July 2021.
  • Vegas attempted to send Dadonov to the Anaheim Ducks in March 2022, but the move was nixed by the NHL Central Registry because Dadonov had not waived his no-trade clause.

The players

Michael Andlauer

The new owner of the Ottawa Senators who fired then-GM Pierre Dorion and hired Steve Staois.

Pierre Dorion

The former general manager of the Ottawa Senators who was fired by new owner Michael Andlauer.

Steve Staois

The new general manager of the Ottawa Senators, hired by owner Michael Andlauer.

Evgenii Dadonov

The forward traded by the Ottawa Senators to the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2021, which led to the nullified trade.

Ilya Kovalchuk

A player whose contract with the New Jersey Devils was rejected by the NHL in 2010, leading to the team being docked a first- and third-round pick and fined $3 million.

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What’s next

If Ottawa misses the playoffs and happens to win the draft lottery for one of the first two picks, it will result in a re-draw.

The takeaway

This case highlights the NHL's willingness to adjust punishments, especially when ownership changes occur, and sets a precedent for how the league handles contract and trade issues going forward.