Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman was suspended 10 games for roughing Ottawa Senators star Tim Stutzle during Saturday's game, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Monday.
Hartman was assessed a match penalty for attempting to injure Stutzle after driving the opposing forward's head into the ice at the end of the second frame.
Stutzle was bloodied in the incident but remained in the game, which the Senators won 6-0.
"Hartman contends that he is attempting to use his hand to regain his balance using Stutzle for support and that their fall to the ice is accidental. We disagree," the league said in its explanation of the decision.
The NHL added that in its view, Hartman chose "to take advantage of a vulnerable player in an unacceptable fashion."
This is the fifth suspension of Hartman's 628-game NHL career, and his fourth since April 2023. He was last banned three contests for throwing his stick toward an official in April 2024.
The league noted Hartman has been considered a repeat offender for three consecutive suspensions.
The Wild forward's four previous suspensions totaled seven contests.
