Wild forward Ryan Hartman receives major suspension for intent to injure offence
Moments ago, news broke that Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman has received a very harsh suspension of 10 games for his actions towards Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle.
Recently, Hartman went uncalled for a clear slewfoot and attempt to hurt Leon Draisaitl. It's just one example of a dirty play, and it's a factor in the NHL reaching a major 10 game decision,
Ryan Hartman suspended 10 games for brutal attack on Tim Stutzle
Off a faceoff, Ryan Hartman placed is arm on Stutzle's neck and went down, purposefully driving Stutzle's head into the ice. It was an egregious play and even was called by the referee.
In their explanation, Player Safety revealed that Hartman tried to argue he was balancing himself as he fell. Player Safety simply disagree, instead saying it was a play with intent to injure.
Hartman has been suspended 5 times in his NHL career, leading to the repeat offender label that gives Player Safety the ability to suspended for much longer.
For such an egregious play, this suspension is clearly deserved. Hartman is a 628 game veteran of the NHL, so he should already know better - but hopefully this actually changes his behaviour.
The Oilers have encountered Hartman on the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators through his career, often times making dirty plays against Edmonton's superstars. The slewfoot recently against Draisaitl is just one example.
It's very rare to see a 10 game suspension handed out in the NHL, but in this case, it's entirely deserved. Player Safety may have finally got a decision right with this one.
