Bettman reduces Hartman's suspension from 10 games to 8

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the suspension of Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman but reduced the length from 10 games to eight, the league announced Monday.

Hartman was suspended for roughing Senators forward Tim Stutzle during Ottawa's 6-0 win Feb. 1. Hartman was assessed a match penalty for attempt to injure after driving Stutzle's head into the ice during a faceoff at the end of the second period.

Hartman was originally assessed a 10-game suspension Feb. 3, but the NHLPA appealed the punishment on his behalf, and Bettman heard the appeal at a Feb. 14 hearing.

This marked the fifth suspension in Hartman's career with four of those occurring since April 2023. He is now eligible to return to the Wild's lineup March 4 against the Seattle Kraken.

In his decision, Bettman noted Hartman's most recent previous suspension was for three games. He determined that an increase of seven games was "excessive" and not proportional, and that the eight-game ban should "serve as an appropriate 'wake-up call' to Mr. Hartman."

It's the first time Bettman has reduced a suspension on appeal since lowering a six-game ban against Toronto's Jason Spezza to a four-game suspension in 2021.

Hartman has seven goals and 10 assists in 48 games for Minnesota this season.