Gary Bettman reduces Ryan Hartman's massive 10 game suspension

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an update to a report published three weeks ago when NHL Player Safety suspended Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman for 10 games. The earlier report, published as events occurred, is further below.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has reduced Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman's 10 game suspension to just 8 games.

From NHL PR:

Bettman wrote a 13 page document with his ruling, which can be read in full here.

In essence though, Bettman explains that he found the seven-game jump from Hartman's previous suspension to be "excessive." He would go on to explain that an eight game suspension should serve as an "appropriate wake up call."

It's also worth reporting that Hartman called the play he made on Tim Stutzle a "mere accident with an unfortunate outcome.”

Just as a reminder, here's the play:

Doesn't look like a 'mere accident' to me...

In any case, Bettman has ruled that Hartman will now only sit out 9 games and is eligible to return for the Wild on March 4 against the Seattle Kraken.

Read below for our earlier report on Hartman's suspension, published as events occurred.

UPDATE: Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman has been suspended 10 games for driving Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle's head into the ice.

Read below for our earlier report on this incident, published as events occurred.

It seems likely that the Minnesota Wild will have to play without veteran forward Ryan Hartman in the lineup for at least the next few games, with most appearing to believe that Hartman is headed for a truly massive suspension.

On Saturday night, Hartman was involved in a pretty dirty play when he drove the head of Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle hard into the ice, doing so immediately after a face-off between the two men. This one looked pretty bad for Hartman who appeared to intentionally place his arm on the back of Stutzle's head before driving it down into the ice with the full weight of his body behind it.

Here is a look at the replay of the incident, which again seems to be rather intentional on the part of Hartman:

Stutzle's head was busted open on the play, making things look even worse.

On Sunday morning, Minnesota Wild insider Michael Russo indicated his belief that Hartman could very well face an in person hearing for this latest infraction, a scenario which could see Hartman earning a suspension of 6 or more games

Hartman's history won't do him any favors here with similar incidents on his record from the not so distant past. Hartman was previously disciplined by the league for an intentional high stick he delivered to Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti during a face-off, something that will definitely be taken under consideration when making a determination regarding any potential suspensions for his infraction against Stutzle.

All this to say things aren't looking great for Ryan Hartman.