If you hate diving and embellishment in the NHL, you’ll be pleased to know that the league has handed out their first fine for diving. James Neal of the Nashville Predators was the lucky recipient of the $2,000 fine for embellishment after he dove against the San Jose Sharks back on December 13th.
Neal was slapped in the pants with a stick and received a minor penalty for embellishment. He was reportedly warned about diving by the league one month prior to the tumble below, which is why the NHL decided to hand out a fine.
Let this go out as a warning to all of the players we’ve seen diving, falling over and randomly clutching at their faces should a stick come within 10 inches. The league has now proven that they will hand out additional discipline for simulation. It’s doubtful this one fine will cut down on all of the diving around the league, but it’s a start.
