NHL Player Safety Has Officially Summoned Ryan Hartman For A Hearing

In an update to an earlier story I shared, it now seems certain that Hartman is on the verge of a suspension, courtesy of the league's disciplinary branch. The official word from the NHL is that Hartman is slated for a hearing tomorrow on charges of unsportsmanlike conduct.

While this is definitely not great news for Hartman and the Wild, there's a potential upside. As I pointed out before, Hartman was initially at risk of a minimum three-game suspension under NHL rule 40.4 for abusing an official. However, it appears the league isn't pursuing that angle.

By focusing on "unsportsmanlike conduct" instead, it hints that the NHL might be considering a lighter suspension than the three-game minimum mandated for official abuse.