NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman's suspension upon appeal but reduced the length from 10 games to eight on Monday. After Hartman drove Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle face-first into the ice during a game Feb.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the suspension of Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman for slamming an opponent's head to the ice, while making the unusual decision on Monday to reduce the penalty from 10 games to the union-recommended eight after hearing Hartman's in-person appeal.

Commissioner Gary Bettman ruled today that Ryan Hartman's ten-game suspension for slamming Tim Stützle’s face into the ice was too harsh.