Jan 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) takes a shot on goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

nhl

Minnesota Wild Ryan Hartman Suspended 10 Games for Dangerous Hit on Tim Stutzle

NHL forward penalized after slamming Ottawa player’s head into the ice; potential appeal underway.

Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman has been handed a 10-game suspension by the NHL for a dangerous incident during Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators. Hartman used his forearm to slam Tim Stutzle’s head into the ice during a faceoff, leaving Stützle bleeding from a cut above his eye.

The incident happened late in the second period with Ottawa up 3-0. Hartman locked Stützle’s stick with his leg, then forcefully drove his head into the ice. Stützle’s helmet came off on impact, and he skated off bleeding but returned in the third period to assist in two Ottawa goals. The Senators won 6-0.

Ryan Hartman's 10-Game Suspension Will Cost Him A Ton Of Salary https://t.co/TTQRJXB2mX #NHL
— House of Hockey (@HLHouseofHockey) February 4, 2025

In the NHL’s video, posted on social media announcing the discipline and describing the sequence, it said: “It is important to note that this is not a hockey play. … With Stützle bent low and focused on winning the draw, Hartman chooses to take advantage of a vulnerable player in an unacceptable fashion.”

Hartman received a match penalty and now has 48 hours to appeal the suspension. Players facing six or more games can appeal first to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and, if needed, to a neutral arbitrator.

Despite the hit, Stützle played in Ottawa’s 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday, logging over 21 minutes of ice time and registering an assist.

What lies ahead for Ryan Hartman and the Minnesota Wild?

Ryan Hartman has once again caught the attention of the NHL Department of Player Safety, making him a prime candidate for even harsher punishments if he steps out of line again.

This isn’t Hartman’s first run-in with league discipline. Back in April 2024, he was suspended for three games for throwing his stick in the direction of a referee. That incident classified him as a “repeat offender,” meaning his salary loss for suspensions is calculated per game rather than per day—costing him significantly more.

Ryan Hartman Gets Major Suspension For Violent Play Against Ottawa Senators Star Tim Stutzle @TheHockeyNews-Ottawa #SensNation #GoSensGo https://t.co/xhNIHuLj5Y
— Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) February 4, 2025

Now in the first year of his three-year, $12 million contract, Hartman’s $4 million cap hit adds to the Minnesota Wild’s challenges. He’s making $5 million this season but has struggled on the ice, with just seven goals and 10 assists in 48 games and a minus-8 rating. His struggles were highlighted when he was briefly demoted to the fourth line last week in Chicago. This suspension further complicates his standing with head coach John Hynes.

The Wild face additional roster challenges with Hartman’s suspension. His cap hit must remain on the books, and he still occupies a spot on the 23-man roster, limiting the team’s flexibility. With Marcus Johansson nearing a return from a concussion and Jonas Brodin recovering from a lower-body injury, the Wild may need to make roster adjustments soon. Coach Hynes hinted that defenseman Travis Dermott could be placed on waivers or forward Ben Jones reassigned to make room for Johansson and Brodin, who practiced Monday in Boston and may play Tuesday.

Hartman had acknowledged before the season that he needed to be smarter on the ice, knowing the spotlight was on him. However, he also made it clear he wasn’t planning to drastically change his playing style—a sentiment that now seems to be working against him.

Image Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Minnesota Wild

NHL

Ryan Hartman

Tim Stutzle

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!