The Nashville Predators’ James Neal was the first NHL player to be fined and publicly named for diving — but there’s a good chance he won’t be the last.
In an effort to eliminate diving from hockey, the league revised its protocol when it comes to punishment. As per the recently revised rule, players will receive a warning along with a $1,000 fine for their first diving offence. Any further cases will be met with a $2,000 fine as well as the player’s name being released.
According to Sportsnet’s Damien Cox, there are 22 players that have been warned once for diving this season, and are therefore at risk of being publicly identified pending a second incident.
One name now circulating is Evgeni Malkin. Malkin was penalized twice for diving during the Penguins’ game against the Florida Panthers Saturday night.
Before a fine can be issued, each infraction in question must be reviewed and voted on by a committee of nine representatives from hockey and player operations. If six voters agree that a case is indeed a dive, action can be taken.
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