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Kesler’s agent calls diving accusations a joke (Update: No, he didn’t)

Vancouver Canucks v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks awaits a face off during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on November 25 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Canucks defeated the Coyotes 5-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Christian Petersen

Once again Ryan Kesler’s agent is rushing to his defense, this time after his client was identified as a diver in a TSN report.

This isn’t the first time Overhardt has defended Kesler publicly.

In May, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault opined that Kesler’s shoulder injury had nothing to do with the center’s fall-off in production last season compared to the previous one. To which Overhardt said Vigneault “must have fallen off a turnip truck.”

In August, Vancouver GM Mike Gillis stated during a radio interview that Kesler was ahead of schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery. To which Overhardt said: “[Kesler’s] not ahead of schedule and there’s no rushing him back.”

All three incidents, if you want to call them that, are unrelated, but you have to wonder if Kesler’s feeling a little bit picked on these days.

On Thursday, Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa – who was part of the panel that met in August to discuss issues like embellishment – said he didn’t know why Kesler’s name appeared in the TSN report.

“It’s something we discussed,” Bieksa told The Province. “But we never came up with a list of names.

“I don’t know who is the one coming up with these names.

“We weren’t picking on anyone. We were just in general talking about what we wanted to do.”

Update:

All the same, Overhardt probably didn’t think much of the report.