Wild’s Ryan Hartman Suspended 10 Games for Violent Play Against Senators’ Stützle

NEW YORK — Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman has been suspended for 10 games without pay for roughing Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle during NHL Game No. 828 in Ottawa on Saturday, Feb. 1, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced Monday. The incident occurred at 19:44 of the second period, resulting in a match penalty for Hartman.

Hartman, considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, will forfeit $487,804.90 based on his average annual salary. The forfeited funds will be directed to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The NHL Department of Player Safety stated that Hartman used his forearm to “violently slam the head of Stützle into the ice” during the game. Players suspended for at least six games are eligible to appeal to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, with a second appeal option to a neutral arbitrator. Hartman has 48 hours to file an appeal.

With 16 seconds remaining in the second period and Ottawa leading 3-0, Hartman and Stützle engaged in a faceoff. Hartman locked up Stützle’s stick with his leg, placed his right forearm on the back of Stützle’s neck, and drove the Senators’ forward’s head into the ice. Stützle’s helmet came off upon impact, and he skated to the bench with a cut bleeding over his left eye. Despite the injury, Stützle returned in the third period, assisting on two goals as the Senators secured a 6-0 victory.

In a video posted on social media, the NHL described the incident as “not a hockey play,” emphasizing that Hartman took advantage of a vulnerable player in an unacceptable manner. Stützle played in the Senators’ next game on Monday, logging 21:30 of ice time, recording an assist, and taking three shots on net.