On Tuesday, 31 players will be selected in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The next day, 185 will get the call.
One hundred eighty-five? How is that possible? Isn't 31 multiplied by six 186?
Why, yes, yes, it is. But as you're scrolling down the draft order, you see the term "No selection."
So what exactly happened? How did a pick get forfeited?
Here's everything you need to know.
Which team had to forfeit its pick, and why?
Back in February, rumors began to circulate that the NHL was investigating the Coyotes for allegedly violating the predraft scouting process.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Canadian Hockey League — the governing body for major junior hockey in Canada, which is composed of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL — accused the organization of conducting predraft physical fitness testing of more than 20 prospects prior to the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. It was later reported by The Athletic ($) that the United States' top junior league, the USHL, also had players tested by the Coyotes.
This testing is illegal when it's conducted outside the NHL's scouting combine window, which is usually late May or early June when the combine takes place in Buffalo. Testing did not occur in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to The Athletic, Arizona reportedly didn't think it broke any rules when it asked prospects during pre-combine interviews about their eating habits, supplement use and workout regimens. The NHL, however, was concerned that a strength and conditioning consultant, Tommy Powers, was involved. The Coyotes also reportedly requested that draft prospects attend interviews wearing T-shirts and shorts so team staff could "eyeball" their bodies.
“We are aware of the reports. We have discussed the matter with the NHL and we will have no further comment at this time.” https://t.co/fMdlErMKn6
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 31, 2020
On Feb. 8, Dreger reported that there were at least 20 instances of draft-eligible players going through fitness testing with the franchise.
Why did the Coyotes have to forfeit the pick?
After a hearing was conducted on Aug. 6, in which testimony was provided by members of the Coyotes organization and the NHL — and the organization acknowledged that it had violated the policy by conducting physical testing on 2020 draft-eligible players prior to the combine — the league announced Aug. 26 the club would have to forfeit draft picks.
Per the NHL's statement, the sanctions were imposed under Article 6.3 of the NHL Constitution, which authorizes the commissioner to impose discipline "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."
NHL announces sanctions to Arizona Coyotes for violation of League’s Combine Testing Policy. https://t.co/OsG3Ev3FmA pic.twitter.com/7NZnxTXQdi
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 26, 2020
The statement added that Article 6.3 empowers the commissioner to remove draft picks "if the conduct in question affects the competitive aspects of the game."
Arizona issued the following statement in response: "We were advised . . . of the NHL's ruling regarding the allegations of physical fitness testing of draft prospects and respect the League's ruling. Under new leadership, we have added thorough internal controls and compliance measures to prevent this type of occurrence from happening again in the future. We will have no further comment."
It should be noted that the Coyotes' general manager in 2019, John Chayka, quit in late July, right before bubble hockey got underway. Bill Armstrong was hired as the new GM in mid-September.
2020 NHL DRAFT ORDER: Rounds 1-7 | Team-by-team
Which pick is forfeited?
Under the ruling by commissioner Gary Bettman, the Coyotes forfeited their second-round pick (49th overall) in 2020 and their first-round pick in 2021, whose placement won't be determined until after next season.
The press release from the NHL noted that Bettman stressed the decision came about because the policy is in place to ensure competitive fairness and to avoid prospects going through testing more than once.
"While the Combine Testing Policy Memoranda reference a fine of 'no less than $250,000 for each violation' of the Policy, I exercise my discretion to impose the aforementioned discipline — which I consider to be more appropriate given the specific circumstances of this case," Bettman said.
The one negative of all this? One less player will have his name selected and his draft dreams realized this year and next.