[Article] Ryan Kesler singled out as diver in NHL’s crackdown on embellishment

[Alex the Great]

At the NHL rules summit in August, a combination of executives and coaches and players addressed one of the League's growing on-ice problems: Embellishment, and the embellishers who embellish.

In order to curb diving, a few players involved in the forum supported the public shaming of chronic floppers. From NHL VP Colin Campbell, via NHL.com:

"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."

[Tigs]

That's good, he should be ashamed to pull BS like that - especially in the playoffs.

[Honeydews]

Smh....

[CookieCrumbs]

Excellent. Stop diving Ryan, it's pathetic.

[D-Bo7]

Rightfully so. His antics are just embarrassing sometimes.

He doesn't need to do all that stuff. He's a star player, and he's so much better when he just focuses on playing.

Now all he's done is made sure that he will not get any calls, legitimate or otherwise.

[Versace]

Can't really blame him, we never get any powerplays and the refs dont give us any calls.

[SkeeterHansen]

At the NHL rules summit in August, a combination of executives and coaches and players addressed one of the League's growing on-ice problems: Embellishment, and the embellishers who embellish.

In order to curb diving, a few players involved in the forum supported the public shaming of chronic floppers. From NHL VP Colin Campbell, via NHL.com:

To that end, a few of the names prominently mentioned in those meetings have been leaked by Darren Dreger of TSN. Chief among them: Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks.

Fun fact: His teammate, Kevin Bieksa, was a part of the rules summit. (Awwwwkward…)

From TSN:

The "posting pictures" thing is somewhat new, as the players involved in the summit — including Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza, Bieksa and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles — talked about posting a list in every referees' locker room and players' dressing room.

But posting the photographs … OK, now we're getting into "dude who keeps passing bad checks at the liquor store" territory.

But hey, if it helps end the scourge of FIFA-level overacting, whatever works.

But Kesler? A diver? Outside of this …

And this …

And also this …

And tumbleweeds …

… we've only seen him dive one or two dozen times.

(But please remember: Diving is evil, but it's also a tactic.)

Meanwhile, Kesler must be wondering how he could be singled out as a diver on a team that has Alex Burrows and Max Lapierre in its employ. Because we sort of are.

Keep in mind this is a Yahoo sports article...

[Darkstar]

Definitely one of the more prominent divers in the league.

[Captain Aerosex]

Hey, it's true.

[hockeyville88]

Good. It disgraces the sanctity of the game when players pull crap like that and Kesler is one of the worst. I love our team, but I was ashamed of my love for the Canucks after what Kesler did out there against LA.

[nuck nit]

So,Diving is evil but slashing a player's knees ,back,wrists and ankles are a-ok when the Boston Bruins are playing for the Cup.

Give me a break.Ryan looks silly but he is not a hatchet man butcher Bruin.

This is the nonsense that really irks me.

The NHL Rules Committee should get a freaking clue.

[2009cupchamps]

1. can't say their wrong

[Durl Dixsun]

Dustin Brown = biggest embellisher

[Nino]

Can't really blame him, we never get any powerplays and the refs dont give us any calls.

[Bang Bang Boogie]

Who cares if its a Yahoo article? It true..Kesler is one of the biggest divers in the league.

[Datsyukian Dangle]

That's good, he should be ashamed to pull BS like that - especially in the playoffs.

[McBackup]

So, what exactly is this list supposed to do? Stop calls made in favor of divers? If that's the case I can guarantee you the only effect is divers are going to be sent to the hospital very frequently from now on.

[Tigs]

LOL at the stupidity....your talking as if NO ONE does anything like that in the playoffs....ask the Bruins and LA how it worked out...

[NoShowWilly]

the tumbleweed and tornado .gifs were probably top 5 of this years postseason photoshop battle.

i laugh this crap off when our team does it but i point it out every time. it does piss me off when it goes against us so yes our players that do dive need to be called out on it.

edit: forgot the lake one

http://vansunsportsblogs.com/2012/04/18/the-six-best-ryan-kesler-tumbleweed-gifs/

[UFCanuck]

Jordan Eberle dives to. Everybody dives, the entire Kings team dove their way through to the cup.

The only difference is that Kesler is on one of the best teams in the league. It really doesn't matter when a Leaf or Oilers player like Hall or Lupul dive, because who cares.