<p>Ryan Hartman’s 10-game suspension has been reduced to eight games following a successful appeal, the NHL announced Monday.</p>



<p>Suspended in early February for roughing <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/ottawa-senators/line-combinations">Ottawa Senators</a> center Tim Stutzle, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/minnesota-wild/line-combinations">Minnesota Wild</a> right winger later elected to appeal the ban, a process overseen by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.</p>



<p>“As I have stated in prior opinions, one true and fundamental test of effective discipline is whether the discipline is of sufficient strength and impact that it has the effect of deterring the player being disciplined from repeating the same or similar conduct in the future,” <a href="https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/2024-25/HartmanRuling.pdf">Bettman noted</a> in his ruling. “In light of [Hartman’s] prior suspension of three games, I believe that a suspension of eight games should be sufficient to serve as an appropriate ‘wake-up call’ to [Hartman], causing him to re-evaluate his conduct on the ice and make positive changes to his game.”</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="144"></div>



<p>Having already served four games of his suspension, Hartman is now eligible to return to the lineup on March 4 when the Wild take on the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/seattle-kraken/line-combinations">Seattle Kraken</a>.</p>



<p>Hartman’s suspension marks his fourth banishment in the past two seasons. Most recently, Hartman was suspended for three games last April as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct. He was also suspended for two games in November 2023 for a dangerous trip, while in April 2023 he was banned one game for interference.</p>



<p>Through 48 games this season, Hartman has scored seven times and added 10 assists for 17 points. Hartman also leads the Wild with 60 penalty minutes.</p>



<p>Originally chosen 30th overall by the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/chicago-blackhawks/line-combinations">Chicago Blackhawks</a> in the 2013 NHL Draft, Hartman has seen 628 career contests with the Blackhawks, <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/nashville-predators/line-combinations">Nashville Predators</a>, <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/philadelphia-flyers/line-combinations">Philadelphia Flyers</a>, and Wild in which he has registered 125 goals and 160 assists for 295 points.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="147"></div>



<p>Per <a href="https://puckpedia.com/player/ryan-hartman">PuckPedia</a>, Hartman is in the first year of a three-year contract that carries a $4-million annual average value.</p>
