Paul Stewart: The Five-Minute Misconduct

Yeah, diving is getting ridiculous. The Habs were going total Triple Lindy left and right in game 5.

Maybe we can get after-the-game reviewing of questionable penalties. A few suspensions on clear dives by high profile players might be enough to put the fear of Dog in them.

Perhaps another variation or addition to this proposed rule...

The 5 minute misconduct for the first offense in a game (could be per team or just 1 a game, per team more likely). Then, all following become a 2 minute minor with the diving player taking the 5 minute misconduct as well (or 10 minute if he was the cause of the first diving usage in the game). The following could then increase to an ejection for a 3rd violation (suspensions all individual basis for the NHL to decide on).

I say this, because I can see a small issue occurring where 3rd or 4th liners matched up against the top line would still try to dive to create the advantage while removing the opposing team's better player. Under your new proposal, they player doesn't hurt his team too badly by sitting out for five minutes, if they were a 4th liner. Its not helping his team by any means, but I think most would rather 5 minutes without any time a man down, than a 2 minute minor.

Stewie - I like your unique idea, and the ones above. Question: If Player A hooks a Player B and B embellishes enough for the 5 minute misconduct, you idea awards a power play for the hook, but not for the dive. But B must sit for 5 minutes, so I think it's a good compromise. Get it done. How about these:

Currently a team cannot change after an icing call. I propose a change to say that a team cannot change players if they caused any stoppage: offside, shot puck out, goalie save. I think it rewards the attacking teams.

How about if a player is suspended, a team cannot replace him on the game day roster? This might make players think twice due to the penalty to their team, and a team cannot just re-goon on suspensions.

Thanks!

How about if a player is suspended, a team cannot replace him on the game day roster? This might make players think twice due to the penalty to their team, and a team cannot just re-goon on suspensions.

Thanks!
- danham92

So, you're proposing the offending team can't dress the full regulation number of players? That's pretty harsh, but it may be called for given the current extent of the problem.

Another thought: it may be worth distinguishing between diving and embellishment. "Diving" would be simply faking it when there is no legit penalty, for example, throwing back the head when the stick didn't even hit you. This kind of thing is just cheating and should be punished very harshly. "Embellishment" is more along the lines of putting on a show to get a legit penalty noticed by the officials. This is poor sportsmanship but I wouldn't call it cheating, per se. It deserves some sort of negative repercussion but shouldn't be as bad as that for diving.

Here's a suggestion

The first time anyone on a team dives or embellishes in a game they get a 2 minute unsportsmanlike minor.

The 2nd time, and any subsequent times, anyone from that same team dives or embellishes in that game, they get a 5 minute major.

That plus enforcing suspensions for chronic offenders should solve the problem.

Here's a suggestion

The first time anyone on a team dives or embellishes in a game they get a 2 minute unsportsmanlike minor.

The 2nd time, and any subsequent times, anyone from that same team dives or embellishes in that game, they get a 5 minute major.

That plus enforcing suspensions for chronic offenders should solve the problem.
- BiggE

Thats nearly identical to the current rule.

Another thought: it may be worth distinguishing between diving and embellishment. "Diving" would be simply faking it when there is no legit penalty, for example, throwing back the head when the stick didn't even hit you. This kind of thing is just cheating and should be punished very harshly. "Embellishment" is more along the lines of putting on a show to get a legit penalty noticed by the officials. This is poor sportsmanship but I wouldn't call it cheating, per se. It deserves some sort of negative repercussion but shouldn't be as bad as that for diving.
- josh314

This is absolutely necessary. With a dive there was no penalty by the opposing team. With an embellishment the was a penalty to be called. Important difference.

Throwing your head back from a high stick is different than throwing your head back from a stick in your chest.

Brilliant idea Paul, now get that A-hole Bettman to listen to someone besides his own voice. Good Luck.

The entire problem with dives is that we always hear from color commentators and between period guests how drawing penalties are great plays. More than half the time is is a dive that draws the penalty, so is it a good play or not? The culture of the game needs to change first before any rules can be changed.

I think just calling a dive instead of the a penalty and taking the other player for diving. If a player dives it should cancel out the infraction, "I couldn't tell if he impeded you because you just fell down".

I think just calling a dive instead of the a penalty and taking the other player for diving. If a player dives it should cancel out the infraction, "I couldn't tell if he impeded you because you just fell down".
- Grinder47

Bingo. As long as you "reward" the divers by removing an opponent, the problem continues. If a player realizes his theatrics aren't going to make a difference, he will be less likely to flop and take himself out of the play.

Bingo. As long as you "reward" the divers by removing an opponent, the problem continues. If a player realizes his theatrics aren't going to make a difference, he will be less likely to flop and take himself out of the play.
- Desert_Dog

This ^.

I've got a novel idea...if the refs just called all the fouls, the players wouldn't feel like they need to draw attention to them so much! Do you really think it's that easy to read a players mind, and know when he's diving? Reacting to getting hit with a stick is a natural response! Don't you remember when you played Stewie?
Why do you take so much offence to what you perceive is diving? Isn't it possible that you're wrong on some embellishment calls?
Don't take these comments personally...i always enjoyed watching you play in Bingo, and also thought you were one of the best/ consistent refs!