Ryan Hartman received a 10-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety for roughing Tim Stutzle during Saturday’s Minnesota Wild-Ottawa Senators game.
The incident occurred at the end of the second period when Hartman drove Stutzle’s head into the ice, resulting in a match penalty.
Stutzle, who was left bleeding from the play, continued in the game as Ottawa won 6-0.
“Hartman contends that he is attempting to use his hand to regain his balance using Stutzle for support and that their fall to the ice is accidental. We disagree,” the NHL stated in its explanation.
The league determined Hartman “chose to take advantage of a vulnerable player in an unacceptable fashion.”
This marks Hartman’s fifth suspension in his 628-game NHL career. He’s now been suspended four times since April 2023, including a three-game ban in April 2024 for throwing his stick toward an official.
The Department of Player Safety noted Hartman’s status as a repeat offender for three consecutive suspensions.
His previous four suspensions totaled seven games.
