Kadri, Yakupov, Hanzal fined by NHL for diving/embellishment

If Nazem Kadri receives another citation for diving/embellishment by the NHL this season, head coach Mike Babcock will receive a fine.

On Friday the NHL said Kadri had been fined for diving/embellishment for the second time this season. This triggered a $3,000 fine, which means his next infraction, Kadri will be fined $4,000 and coach Mike Babcock will receive a $2,000 fine.

The NHL also announced Arizona Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal and Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov were fined $2,000.

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Kadri was first issued a warning by NHL hockey operations for a game against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 4. He was then fined $2,000 for an incident at the 10:00 mark of the first period against the Ottawa Senators on March 12.

His third citation happened against the Calgary Flames on March 21. After Kadri hit Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau hard, Calgary’s Josh Jooris slashed Kadri on the back of his leg, and Kadri fell to the ice.

Jooris then dropped his gloves and tried to fight Kadri, who was turtled on the ice. Jooris received a minor penalty for roughing, and Kadri received a minor for embellishment.

"I was just trying to finish my hit there, and he came after me," Kadri said after the game according to Leafs Nation. "I took a pretty good whack there on the back of the leg and I don't have much padding back there, so I don't really know what else I was supposed to do."

TSN’s Mark Masters reported that as of Monday this week, Kadri pointed out that he hadn’t been fined for diving or embellishment in his career.

Yakupov was warned early in the season on Oct. 13 in a game against the Dallas Stars. Against the Arizona Coyotes on March 12, Yakupov drew a minor penalty for interference to Coyotes defenseman Nicklas Grossmann but was also assessed a minor penalty for embellishment on the play. This triggered the fine for Yakupov.

Hanzal’s warning came on Dec. 6 in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Against the Edmonton Oilers on March 12. Hanzal drew a minor penalty for hooking from Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl and was assessed a minor penalty for embellishment on the play.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper