Overview

• Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman’s suspension was reduced from 10 games to 8 after an appeal to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
• The suspension stemmed from Hartman driving Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle's head into the ice during a February 1 game, leaving Stützle with a cut requiring five stitches.
• Bettman concluded that the act was intentional but not predatory and reduced the suspension, citing a lack of precedent for such a sharp increase in penalty length.
• Hartman, a repeat offender with four suspensions in the past 22 months, was deemed to need a 'wake-up call' to improve his on-ice conduct.
• Hartman will be eligible to return for the Wild’s March 4 game against the Seattle Kraken, having already served four games of his suspension.