Minnesota Wild's Ryan Hartman suspended 10 games for driving Tim Stutzle's head into ice

Editor's note: Ryan Hartman's suspension was reduced to eight games after an appeal.

Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman's fifth NHL suspension was a long and expensive one.

The NHL Player Safety department announced Monday that Hartman was being suspended for 10 games for roughing against the Ottawa Senators' Tim Stutzle. The suspension will cost him $487,804.90 in lost pay.

Hartman "used his forearm to violently slam" Stutzle's head into the ice during a faceoff late in the second period. The department disagreed with Hartman's assertion that he put his hand there to regain his balance and that the fall was accidental.

"This is not a hockey play," the department said in a video, calling the play "inherently dangerous and unacceptable."

Stutzle suffered a cut on his head but was stitched up and returned in the third period.

Hartman received a match penalty and was offered an in-person hearing, reserved for a potential suspension of six games or more.

Hartman had been suspended four times previously in his career, most recently for three games last April for throwing his stick in the direction of an on-ice official.

He also has been fined seven times, including once in January 2024 for high-sticking an opponent during a faceoff. The department noted that he has been disciplined roughly once every 60 games.

The suspension was the longest this season, topping the eight games given to the New York Rangers' Matt Rempe.

Ryan Hartman suspension appealed

The NHL Players' Association announced Wednesday that it is appealing the suspension on Hartman's behalf. Under the collective-bargaining agreement, commissioner Gary Bettman hears the appeal. Hartman can then appeal to an independent arbitrator if he disagrees with that ruling. Bettman upheld the suspension but reduced the length to eight games.

This story has been updated with new information.