Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner is facing a $2,000 fine from the NHL after a couple of embellishment incidents.
The league announced this morning that Skinner was issued a warning about embellishment following a play against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 22. This warning, however, supposedly did not work as Skinner was caught diving on another play during Edmonton’s 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers last month.
This triggered a $2,000 fine for embellishment against Skinner. The Athletic’s Chris Johnston broke the news this morning.
The NHL has issued a $2,000 fine to #oilers forward Jeff Skinner for embellishment. That means he’s been cited for two diving offences: A warning for an Oct. 22 game against Carolina and the fine for a Nov. 23 game against the N.Y. Rangers.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 2, 2024
While the initial play against the Hurricanes was not released, the NHL did provide video of Skinner’s supposed dive against the Rangers. The play in question occurred in the second period of the game, and Skinner was seen fighting for the puck along the half-boards in the offensive zone. New York defenceman K’Andre Miller got a bit tied up with the Oilers forward when Skinner fell to the ice.
This is just the latest in a long string of struggles for Skinner during his first season in the Alberta capital. The 32-year-old was brought in over the summer to provide some scoring depth for the team but has only managed four goals and eight points through his first 24 games with the Oilers.
That is a long way off the 82-point pace he accomplished with the Buffalo Sabres just a few seasons ago.
He will have to start paying attention to the league’s warnings about his embellishment. A third offence will cost him $3,000, and a fifth offence would result in two separate fines for Skinner and Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch.
The money will be sent to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.