Ottawa Senators secure 32nd overall pick in revised $1M penalty by NHL
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Sam Walker
Mar 12, 2026 (10:54)
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Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Head coach Travis Green and captain Brady Tkachuk just received massive news regarding the long-standing Evgenii Dadonov trade debacle that rocked the franchise.
The league officially stepped in and completely adjusted the punishment previously handed down to the organization for the botched trade disclosure.
Instead of completely forfeiting their 2026 first-round selection, the front office will now step to the podium to draft 32nd overall.
This is a win-win for the Senators organization, as the 2026 draft is expected to be much deeper than any other.
The league attached severe restrictions to this newly minted draft position, stating explicitly that the pick cannot be moved in any transaction.
On top of the draft positioning penalty, management must hand over a steep $1 million CAD fine directly to the league office.
The initial ruling always felt exceptionally harsh for a front office that's already undergone sweeping personnel changes over the past year.
The previous administration totally fumbled the no-trade clause paperwork with Vegas, leaving the current regime unfairly holding the bag on the fallout.
A massive break for Ottawa
Salvaging a first-round pick, even at the very bottom of the opening round, represents a gigantic victory for the amateur scouting department.
Securing a top-tier prospect with a true first-round pedigree gives the player development staff another highly touted asset to build around internally.
Keeping the prospect cupboards completely stocked remains absolutely vital for a core group desperately pushing to take the next competitive step forward.
Watching that draft pick vanish entirely would've severely damaged their long-term development pipeline and set the organization back significantly.
The heavy financial penalty definitely hurts the bottom line, but the ownership group will gladly write that check to retain premium draft capital.
This definitive ruling ensures the locker room can finally put this incredibly ugly administrative disaster firmly in the rearview mirror.
The off-ice drama is officially settled. They aren't dwelling on it as the coaching staff directs energy toward the upcoming back-to-back series.
The entire organization breathes a massive sigh of relief as they prepare for the next critical homestand and the opening puck drop.
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