Mikko Rantanen finally gets punished by NHL, but not for what you thought

On Friday, it was revealed that the NHL’s hockey operations department flagged Mikko Rantanen for two incidents of embellishment this season. They have officially fined Rantanen $2,000 for two citations of embellishment. The hockey operations of the league flagged Rantanen on two occasions this season, which automatically triggered the fine.

Rule 64 of the NHL rulebook is designed to punish players and teams that embellish to draw a penalty, increasing the severity of the punishment the more it happens. Here’s what happens when a player is cited for embellishment or diving under Rule 64:

* First citation: warning

* Second citation: $2,000 fine

* Third citation: $3,000 fine

* Fourth citation: $4,000 fine

* Fifth citation onward: $5,000 fine each

When it comes to Rantanen, he was first warned back on October 16, in a game against the Vancouver Canucks. The second incident, which led to the current fine, happened just over a minute into the third period of the Stars’ game against the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 11. It took place as Rantanen skated by the Senators’ crease and got tangled up with goalie Linus Ullmark. Ullmark raised his right arm, and Rantanen appeared to grab it. Both players ended up falling to the ice.

Some say this is some sort of karma for what took place earlier this week as Rantanen’s dangerous hit on New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov got a lot of people talking. According to the league, Romanov’s defensive partner, Scott Mayfield, made contact with Rantanen just before the collision, a factor that influenced the decision not to issue a suspension.

The fined money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.