Ryan Hartman was well aware of Gary Bettman’s track record and how rare it is for the NHL Commissioner to shorten suspensions. But that’s exactly what Bettman did Monday, trimming Hartman’s 10-game suspension for roughing Ottawa’s Tim Stützle to eight games to make the forward eligible to return next Tuesday at Seattle.

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

Minnesota Wild's Ryan Hartman had his 10-game suspension for dangerous play reduced to eight games by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, sparking fan outrage. Bettman’s decision to reduce the penalty, despite Hartman's history of reckless behavior,