The NHL is still trying to cut down on diving and embellishment in the sport and one of their methods involves publicly shaming those busted for theatrics. Nazem Kadri was recently fined $5,000 for a series of three dives or acts of embellishment across a set of several games.
Kadri, who is one of the best at drawing penalties in the NHL, wasn’t happy with the decision and spoke out about the ruling. Particularly, he’s adamant there’s a difference between diving and embellishing.
Kadri: "Diving & making something a little more obvious are two different things" pic.twitter.com/RBfwhRTwGv
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 2, 2016
There is a difference between diving and making a penalty more obvious, but the fact remains that both acts are considered illegal as defined by the NHL. Kadri may not want to be labeled as a diver, but is it better to be considered a player who embellishes?
Kadri on diving fines: "I didn't agree with it nor did I like it. I got to accept, though, that's just how it is."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 2, 2016
Kadri: "I'm going to play the same way. I don't agree with (fines) … after I pay, it's just water under the bridge"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 2, 2016
If Kadri doesn’t adjust the way he plays, it’s pretty likely he’ll be facing additional fines. He denies having a reputation, but head coach Mike Babcock might disagree.
Kadri worried about getting reputation? "Not too concerned, to be honest, not going to change the way I play, the way I think, my mentality"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 2, 2016
Babcock concerned Kadri will get reputation? "Well, I think he has a reputation."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 2, 2016
Kadri may want to tone down the embellishing a bit for the foreseeable future. The NHL is keeping a close eye on the forward and they won’t hesitate to hand out additional fines for his actions. Unfortunately, it seems like Kadri is more interesting in debating the differences between diving and acting instead of eliminating the acting from his game.
