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.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has announced his decision to reduce the suspension handed to Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman following an altercation with Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle in early February.