Blues’ Oskar Sundqvist fined for embellishment

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday that St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist has been fined $2,000 for diving and embellishment.

Sundqvist’s fine follows an embellishment warning that came after a late November contest against the New York Rangers. The 30-year-old Swedish-born forward then committed his second offense Saturday against the Central Division rival Utah Hockey Club as part of a play in which Utah center Kevin Stenlund received a two-minute minor for interference.

Per the NHL Department of Player Safety, further incidents would see Sundqvist assessed $3,000 and $4,000 fines, respectively, while a fifth offense would penalize both Sundqvist and Blues head coach Jim Montgomery with $5,000 fines.

Through 37 games with the Blues this season, Sundqvist has registered three goals and six assists for nine points with 28 penalty minutes. A veteran of 463 career contests, Sundqvist has seen stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, and two separate stops with the Blues in which he has tallied 59 goals and 94 assists for 153 points with 201 penalty minutes.

In 2019, Sundqvist was a key contributor in a bottom-six forward role with St. Louis, where through 25 postseason appearances he posted four goals and five assists for nine points to help the Blues capture their first-ever Stanley Cup championship.

Per PuckPedia, Sundqvist is in the first year of a two-year pact that carries a $1.5-million annual average value.

On the season, the Blues sit 23-22-4 and three points back of the Calgary Flames for the second wildcard seed in the Western Conference. Following Thursday’s home ice loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Blues will look to rebound when the club hosts the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

The Blues have failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons.