PK Subban Latest to Join NHL Diving Team

* This post will updated regularly as further fines for diving and embellishment are doled out.

Today, Montreal’s P.K. Subban became the fifth player this season to be penalized for diving and embellishment. Following a rule change in the offseason, the NHL implemented a punitive system to target players and, by extension, their head coaches, that repeatedly dive or embellish. In addition to the financial incentive not to dive, the NHL hopes that the publicity of being shamed for repeatedly diving or embellishing will deter players. First time offenders are issued warnings and then are subject to fines on a sliding scale. After the initial warning, players are fined $2,000 for their first official citation and can be levied up to $5,000 if they become recidivists. To reach the maximum allowable fine ($5,000) a player needs to be commit four infractions. Moreover, once a player commits five violations ($5,000) the head coach of that club is also subject to fines on a sliding scale, beginning at $2,000.

2014-2015 Diving and Embellishment Offenders

02/04/2015: P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens ($2,000) Fine was issued following game against the New York Rangers on 29 January 2015. Subban’s warning was issued on 6 January 2015 while playing against the Tampa Bay Lightning

01/28/2015: Cal Clutterbuck, New York Islanders ($2,000) Fine was issued following game against the Philadelphia Flyers on 19 January 2015. Clutterbuck’s warning was issued on 6 December 2014 while playing against the St. Louis Blues

01/07/2015: Vincent Trocheck, Florida Panthers ($2,000) Fine was issued following a game against the Washington Capitals on 4 January 2015. Trocheck’s warning was issued on 12 December 2014 while playing against the Detroit Red Wings

01/07/2015: Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings ($2,000) Fine was issued following game against the Boston Bruins on 29 December 2014. Nyquist’s warning was issued on 28 November 2014 while playing against the New Jersey Devils.

12/17/2014: James Neal, Nasvhille Predators ($2,000) Fine was issued following game against the San Jose Sharks on 13 December 2014. Neal’s first warning was issued on 13 November 2014 while playing against the St. Louis Blues