The National Hockey League (NHL) has recently announced that Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner has been fined for embellishment during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
According to the league, Skinner was fined $2,000 for his actions during the game on January 6th. This is the first time Skinner has been fined for embellishment in his career.
The incident occurred during the second period of the game when Skinner was hit by Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin. The league reviewed the play and determined that Skinner had exaggerated the impact of the hit in an attempt to draw a penalty.
In a statement, the NHL said that embellishment is a violation of Rule 64, which states that “any player who blatantly dives, embellishes a fall or a reaction, or who feigns an injury shall be penalized with a minor penalty.”
Skinner’s fine is in accordance with the league’s policy on embellishment, which states that a player will receive a warning for their first offense, a $2,000 fine for their second offense, and increasing fines for subsequent offenses.
The NHL has been cracking down on embellishment in recent years in an effort to maintain the integrity of the game. The league has also implemented a video review system to catch and penalize players who engage in this type of behavior.
Skinner has since acknowledged his actions and has stated that he will be more mindful of his actions on the ice in the future.
This incident serves as a reminder to all players that embellishment will not be tolerated in the NHL and that there will be consequences for those who engage in it.
The Edmonton Oilers have not commented on the fine, but it is expected that Skinner will pay the fine and move on from the incident.
As the league continues to crack down on embellishment, it is hoped that players will think twice before attempting to deceive officials and gain an unfair advantage on the ice.
