The NHL Department of Player Safety has announced that Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman has been suspended for one game. Hartman was suspended for an open-ice hit against Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers in Tuesday’s game. It’s Hartman’s second career suspension. He’s also been fined six times before.
Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman has been suspended for one game for Interference against Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers. https://t.co/UbRBjUApft
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 12, 2023
Ryan Hartman Suspended
Hartman was called for interference and roughing when he hit Ehlers at the 11:31 mark of the third period. The incident caused brawl between the two teams and Ehlers left the game holding the back of his head. In a video announcing the suspension, player safety called it “a forceful body check on a player who is not eligible to be hit and is not prepared to protect himself” and disagreed with Hartman’s argument that he was just bracing for contact.
The Hilton Head, S.C. native has 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points in 59 games this season with the Wild. He’s also played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators as well as Minnesota.
Jets blueliner Neal Pionk was also fined for a cross-check to Wild forward Marcus Johansson in the final minute. Things got testy as Wild coach Dean Evanson and Jets coach Rick Bowness got into it with teach other.
What Ryan Hartman Being Suspended Means
Minnesota dodges a bullet with Hartman being suspended for one game. He’ll miss the regular season finale, but will play in the opening game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Wild will take on either the Dallas Stars or Colorado Avalanche in the first round. Minnesota is locked into the third spot in the Central Division.
Hartman’s aggressive game has been helpful to the Wild, but he’s gotten supplemental discipline a number of times during his career. Winnipeg hopes that Ehlers can return for its first-round series against either Colorado or the Vegas Golden Knights.
Main photo by: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
