Watch the Ryan Hartman play that led to longest NHL suspension in six years

Ryan Hartman forced an opposing player face-first into the ice and now the Minnesota Wild forward has to face the repercussions of his actions with a 10-game suspension.

In the waning moments of the second period on Saturday with the Wild trailing the Ottawa Senators 3-0, Hartman and his team desperately needed a spark.

However, Hartman’s act against Senators forward Tim Stützle on the impending faceoff went considerably too far in the NHL’s eyes.

Ryan Hartman and Tim Stutzle falling to the ice during the Wild-Senators hockey game on Feb. 1, 2025

“As the puck is being dropped, Hartman immediately takes his right hand off his stick, with Stutzle leaning forward in an attempt to win the faceoff,” the NHL said in a video describing the punishment. “Hartman takes his free hand, puts his forearm on the back of Stützle’s head and uses his body weight to intentionally drive Stützle downward, slamming him face first into the ice.”

Stützle played through the cut and went on to record two assists in the final period enroute to Ottawa’s 6-0 win.

Ryan Hartman pushes Tim Stutzle's face to the ice.

“Hartman contends that he is attempting to use his hand to regain his balance using Stützle for support and that their fall to the ice was accidental,” the NHL said.

Hartman, 30, has a history of facing supplementary discipline from the NHL, with the league citing him as a “repeat offender.”

Through 663 career games, including playoffs, Hartman has been fined seven times and has now been suspended five times, with four of those coming since 2023.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has reduced Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman’s suspension from 10 to 8 games. Hartman was penalized for roughing and a match penalty after driving Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle into the ice, causing a cut above Stutzle’s eyebrow. Initially suspended for 10 games, Hartman appealed the decision with the NHL Players Association arguing the severity of the suspension. Bettman agreed that the suspension was too harsh but determined an eight-game suspension was appropriate. This aims to serve as a caution for Hartman, prompting better behavior on the ice. Hartman will be eligible to return on March 4 for the Wild’s game against the Seattle Kraken.