NHL drops the hammer on the Arizona Coyotes for draft combine scandal

The NHL has sanctioned the Arizona Coyotes for violating the NHL's Combine Testing Policy during the 2019-2020 season. As a result, the Coyotes will forfeit their 2nd-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft along with their 1st-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

A huge penalty for their actions as the Coyotes admitted to conducting physical testing on 2020 draft-eligible players prior to the combine.

The sanctions were imposed under Article 6.3 of the NHL Constitution, which gives the Commissioner authority to impose disclpline "if he determines..that any person..has either violated the Constitution, the By-Laws, or any other governing rule or regulation of the League, or has been or is guilty of conduct...detrimental to the League or the game of hockey'. Per NHL.com. 

Tough go for the Coyotes as they already don't have a 1st-round pick in this year's draft due to the Taylor Hall trade. 

Salt in the wound? Hall is not expected to re-sign in Arizona. 

Photo credit:  Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire