Predators' Neal fined $2,000 by NHL for diving

NEW YORK (AP) The NHL has fined Nashville Predators forward James Neal $2,000 for violating the league's revised rule against diving and embellishing.

The new rule, implemented for this season after approval by the NHL Board of Governors and the NHL Players' Association, is designed to bring attention to and more seriously penalize players and teams who repeatedly dive and embellish in an attempt to draw penalties.

Fines are assessed to players and head coaches on a graduated scale.

Neal was issued a warning after an infraction at St. Louis on Nov. 13. No penalty was called then. His second violation at San Jose on Saturday led to the fine imposed Wednesday. Neal received a penalty for embellishment on that play.

Third and fourth violations carry fines of $3,000 and $4,000 fines, respectively. A fifth violation yields a maximum $5,000 fine for a player and $2,000 for the head coach.