Wild make Hartman healthy scratch vs. Flyers
Ryan Hartman is the latest Minnesota Wild skater to be assigned to the press box after he was scratched Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"We talk about accountability," head coach Dean Evason said prior to the contest, per The Pioneer Press' Dane Mizutani. "He's going to be accountable for his actions."
Hartman acknowledged he deserved to miss a game.
Hartman: “Message received.” He said if he were Evason, he’d take himself out of the lineup too after the recent penalties. More later. #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 26, 2023
Hartman enjoyed a breakout season in 2021-22, establishing career highs with 34 goals and 31 assists while suiting up for all 82 games. However, he's had trouble replicating that success in this campaign. The 28-year-old has been limited to 25 contests due to injury in 2022-23, but he's produced only five goals and nine assists in that span.
The American has indeed had trouble staying out of the sin bin lately, racking up 21 penalty minutes over his last three games. Hartman has collected only two points - both assists - in his last eight contests. His ice time has taken a hit in this campaign, as his average (14:25) is down nearly four minutes from last season's career-best mark of 18:11.
Hartman's success last season can be partially attributed to the fact that he played on a line with superstar Kirill Kaprizov, but he's barely gotten that opportunity - let alone a spot in Minnesota's top six - in 2022-23.
The gritty forward is in his fourth campaign with the Wild, who signed him as a free agent in July 2019.
Evason hasn't shied away from sitting uninjured players this season. Last week, he made defenseman Matt Dumba a healthy scratch against the Carolina Hurricanes.