Calls Mount Against NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s Shocking Suspension Decision: “Absolutely Horrible”

The controversies continue in NHL and it looks like Ryan Hartman just can’t seem to stay out of the spotlight—or the penalty box. And now, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is also in the picture. Earlier this month, the Minnesota Wild forward crossed the NHL line and received his fifth suspension, and this one came at a high cost. The league’s Player Safety department did not spare him and handed him a 10-game suspension for roughing Ottawa Senators’ Tim Stützle, which cost him a staggering $487,804.90. The play? Well, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a textbook hockey move. Hartman “used his forearm to violently slam” Stützle’s head into the ice during a faceoff late in the second period.

However, Hartman tried to convince the league it was an accident as he was attempting to balance himself, but the league did not believe him. They labelled it as ‘not a hockey play’ and ‘inherently dangerous and unacceptable’ before giving him match penalty and in-person hearing, which means that they are willing to deal with him severely. In the same turn, Stützle who suffered a headshot that left him bleeding, came back in the third period with stitches on his head. And when the fans thought that the drama was over, a twist was introduced and, well, they are not happy with Gary Bettman.

On February 24, Pierre LeBrun, the insider of TSN, RDS and The Athletic, delivered some shocking information to X. “In a statement after hearing the player’s appeal, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announces he’s reduced Ryan Hartman’s suspension from 10 to 8 games. Which, well, is surprising.” Fans were already fired up about the original ruling, and now, with this sudden change, the debate just got even hotter.

The fans did not hold back on this one, and honestly, can you blame them? As soon as Gary Bettman announced his decision, the backlash came rolling in. One fan summed it up perfectly, saying, “Absolutely horrible look for Bettman and the NHL. Even the Wild organization (and fans) were supportive of the 10 game suspension length for a player that has learned NOTHING from previous punishment. NHL is a JOKE!”

Fans furious with Gary Bettman’s decision!

And let’s be real—when the original suspension dropped, not a single fan was out here defending Hartman. Another user kept it blunt, “The guy had like 12 player safety-related incidents before this one. Sit it out.” Well, there is not much to discuss on that one.

And then came the anger on the NHLPA’s appeal. One fan didn’t mince words, calling it out directly: “Appeal a play where Hartman used a WWE move and drove an opponent’s head into the ice? Should be 10 games.”? A WWE move? Triple H’s pedigree perhaps?

One fan didn’t hold back, saying, “Bullshit. Repeat, repeat offender. Should have served the whole thing.” And honestly? They’ve got a point. Ryan Hartman is not a stranger to all of this. He has been suspended multiple times and has received seven fines, including the high-sticking fine in January 2024, and therefore is on a first-name basis with Player Safety. He has been penalized roughly once per 60 games and, of course, the two-game suspension in 2023 for tripping Alex DeBrincat. So yeah, when fans call it a “Joke league,” one cannot argue with them.

Another fan chimed in with some sarcasm and said, “I can totally understand why multiple offender Ryan Hartman’s suspension was downgraded from 10 games to 8. After all, he didn’t fracture Stützle’s neck or skull when he was driving his face into the ice while trying intentionally to injure him.” Yikes. As for Gary Bettman? He took a deep dive into Hartman’s history of suspensions and fines, calling it “an unenviable record and a pattern of malfeasance.” But he also decided that a jump from three-game suspension to a ten-game one would be harsh, even for someone with Hartman’s track record.

Bettman’s ruling may have trimmed the suspension, but let’s just say fans aren’t exactly giving him a standing ovation for it! Shane Donovan summed it up perfectly with a simple GIF that read, “Nope. Don’t like that.” And honestly, who would? Especially when Ryan Hartman’s track record keeps getting worse.

Earlier in the year 2024, Hartman was fined $4,427.08 for high-sticking the Winnipeg Jets’ Cole Perfetti. And it wasn’t just some heat-of-the-moment scuffle. Hartman later admitted he was out for revenge after Brenden Dillon cross-checked Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov in their last matchup. So yeah, safe to say this one wasn’t just an oops moment! So, with fans absolutely fuming over Gary Bettman’s decision, what do you think about it?