NHL players want to distribute a list of divers

[blackngold]

TORONTO -- National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President Colin Campbell believes that players, coaches and general managers all want the diving/embellishment rule to be called more stringently -- and more often -- in order to eliminate the act from the sport.

Campbell came to that conclusion after video proposals and extensive discussions with representatives of those three groups during the two-day Rule Enforcement Meeting, which concluded Wednesday morning.

The players in the session, including Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles, led an impassioned discussion on enforcing the diving/embellishment rule (Rule 64.1), Campbell told NHL.com. He said the players want to distribute a list of divers around the League so it can be posted in all 30 dressing rooms and be delivered to the on-ice officials.

"They want to get [the list] out there," Campbell said. "They want the player to be caught, whether it's on the ice by the referee or by us on video. They are all tired of diving. The object is to make them stop eventually and, by doing that, they can get it out there around the League, embarrass them. The referees will know it, too, so the divers don't get the benefit of the doubt."

According to the NHL Rulebook, players who violate the diving/embellishment rule can be subject to supplementary discipline through fine and/or suspension. Campbell said there was no appetite among the group attending the two-day summit to suspend repeat offenders, because the players feel the punishment that comes with having your name on the divers' list would be enough to reduce the frequency with which the tactic is used.

Keep Reading...

[Philly Fan 27]

OMG this is awesome

[Phila26Flyers]

That was fast. Two of the lists have already leaked here and here.

[RetardedChimp]

/signed

[ValJamesRules]

Don't call the coinciding "tripping" penalty when someone gets a diving penalty. I never got that! Call one or the fukin other.

On a different website, someone suggested giving a diver a 2 and 10min. major. I think that's brilliant. If not 10, at least 5 mins.

[shaud19]

This is serious? Nice to see where the NHl's priorities are. I dislike diving as much as anybody else though having players names on lists and posting them, that's pathetic. I myself don't have any suggestions but it seems like as usual, NHL hears a crisis and over reacts.

[RayzorEdge]

NJDevils17 will be very upset since his boy Bernier will be on that list.

I think it's a good idea. It's not like they're creating a new rule on the fly. We all know who the divers are, but an official list could embarrass the **** out of these assholes and make the refs think twice before making a call.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by shaud19

This is serious? Nice to see where the NHl's priorities are.

Typically the NHL ignores real issues within the game and normally I would agree with your sentiment. However in this case the league has the right idea. Diving should be priority. It tarnishes the integrity of the sport and is truly embarrassing.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by shaud19

This is serious? Nice to see where the NHl's priorities are. I dislike diving as much as anybody else though having players names on lists and posting them, that's pathetic. I myself don't have any suggestions but it seems like as usual, NHL hears a crisis and over reacts.

I agree! What a stupid idea..Distributing pictures and names around all the arenas,and handing them out to the refs is the dumbest thing I have ever heard..I'm assuming that Bieksa,Spezza,and Liles have never gone down easy during a game to try and draw a call.And Bieksa's team mate is the biggest diver in the league.He'd be the first to bytch when a diving call went against Lapierre and cost the Canucks a game..These guys are bozo's...How about an impassioned discussion about getting rid of the instigator so that when someone dives you can skate up to him and beat the piss out of him???Anyone ever think of that???Didn't think so....

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

I agree! What a stupid idea..Distributing pictures and names around all the arenas,and handing them out to the refs is the dumbest thing I have ever heard..I'm assuming that Bieksa,Spezza,and Liles have never gone down easy during a game to try and draw a call.And Bieksa's team mate is the biggest diver in the league.He'd be the first to bytch when a diving call went against Lapierre and cost the Canucks a game..These guys are bozo's...How about an impassioned discussion about getting rid of the instigator so that when someone dives you can skate up to him and beat the piss out of him???Anyone ever think of that???Didn't think so....

Don't worry, Sparky. when your boy Bettman gets the Pens list, he will white out Sid's name.

[IhateLindros]

And you know Bieksa is an authority on diving. Just look at what team he plays for.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by BobNystromOwnsU

Don't worry, Sparky. when your boy Bettman gets the Pens list, he will white out Sid's name.

That's actually a good one.But come on...Circulating pictures of convicted divers around the 30 arenas in the league???It's dumb.You want to get rid of diving.Get rid of tripping,and you won't have any divers...

[Stevens Lindros]

Obvious targets:

http://bruins.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8473419

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470358

Everyone on the Pens

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by Stevens Lindros

Obvious targets:

http://bruins.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8473419

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470358

Everyone on the Pens

I'll give you Crosby embellishing,but you forgot pictures of Lapierre and the Sedin Sisters on your obvious target list...

[antonio106]

The flip side of this is that, if a guy is on the embellishers list, everyone is going to run him into the boards, get a stick between his legs, and take a whole lot of liberties, knowing the ref doesn't want to give him a call.

Lots of people on this board know I really like/d Jarkko Ruutu. Guy was a prima Donna diver, though. You put a guy like him on an official "divers" list? Trip him every. Single. Time. Why wouldn't you? You know he's not getting a call.