NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has reduced the suspension of Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman from 10 games to eight games in a ruling published Monday.

This is the first time Bettman has reduced a suspension from the Department of Player Safety since he dropped Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza's ban for kneeing Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk in December 2021 from six games to four.

"Although I conclude that an escalation from Mr. Hartman's prior three (3) game suspension to ten (10) games is not proportional here, I find that an eight (8) game suspension is both appropriate and supported by clear and convincing evidence," Bettman wrote.

The NHLPA appealed the suspension on behalf of Hartman, who has already served four games of the ban that was handed down Feb. 3 for "using his forearm to violently slam the head of Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle into the ice," as the Department of Player Safety said in its ruling. Specifically, the NHLPA wanted the suspension reduced to eight games.

On Feb. 1, with 16 seconds left in the second period and Ottawa leading 3-0, Hartman and Stützle took a faceoff. Hartman locked up Stützle's stick with his leg, placed his right forearm on the back of Stützle's neck and drove the Ottawa player's head into the ice. Stützle's helmet came off on impact, and he skated to the Senators' bench with a cut bleeding over his left eye that required five stitches.

Hartman was given a match penalty. Stützle returned in the third period and assisted on two Ottawa goals as the Senators prevailed 6-0 at home.

The length of Hartman's suspension was determined in part by his disciplinary history. In 663 NHL regular-season and playoff games, Hartman had been fined seven times and suspended four times -- by the NHL's count, Hartman has been disciplined once every 60 games of his career. Hartman has been considered a repeat offender in each of his past three suspensions.

This was also Hartman's fourth suspension since April 2023. That includes a three-game ban last April for throwing his stick in the direction of a referee following an overtime loss to Vegas Golden Knights. He was given a misconduct penalty for "abusive language" in that game.

Bettman upheld the suspension for Hartman based on that disciplinary history and because he disputed Hartman's claim that the incident with Stützle was accidental. "I believe -- as did DPS and the on-ice officials -- that Mr. Hartman intended to drive Mr. Stützle face first to the ice and he succeeded in that intent," Bettman wrote.

But the reduction in suspension from 10 games to eight games was the result of two factors: that Hartman's play was not "predatory" in nature and that there was no prior suspension by player safety that served as a precedent for this escalation in games.

Bettman indicated that there were counterarguments as for why Hartman removed his hand from his stick to drive it into the back of Stützle's head. In the appeal hearing, there was discussion about whether Hartman's hand had been knocked off his stick by Stützle. That was "a possibility that may have been enhanced by a thumb injury that Mr. Hartman had previously suffered" in October 2024, according to Bettman.

George Parros, the NHL executive VP of player safety, testified in the appeal hearing that he "did not conclude that Mr. Hartman intentionally removed his right hand off of his stick to deliver the forceful blow that resulted," according to Bettman. In other words, that Hartman was not "targeting" Stützle on the play.

Bettman said that he agreed with Parros, that he would give Hartman "the benefit of the doubt" and that any proof of targeting would have meant a longer suspension.

The Department of Player Safety argued unsuccessfully that a 10-game suspension handed to Alexandre Burrows in 2018 for kneeing Taylor Hall was the comp for this suspension. But Bettman didn't find enough similarity between the incidents to warrant the earlier one's being a benchmark for Hartman's suspension.

The NHLPA argued that other repeat offenders -- such as Nazem Kadri, Evander Kane, Brad Marchand and Tom Wilson -- did not have the same kind of increase in games from their fourth to their fifth suspensions as Hartman did.

"While I do not agree with the NHLPA's formulaic methodology, nor do I agree that the suspension histories of Messrs. Kadri, Kane, Marchand, [Zac] Rinaldo, and Wilson provide particularly helpful comparators, I do find that an increase of seven (7) games from Mr. Hartman's last suspension to this one is excessive in this case and that the quantum of increase should be reduced," Bettman wrote.

In conclusion, Bettman believed that an eight-game ban would still be a sufficient "wake-up call" to a repeat offender like Hartman, "causing him to reevaluate his conduct on the ice and make positive changes of his game."

As his suspension was greater than five games, Hartman still had the option to appeal to a neutral arbitrator after Bettman's ruling. But he is not expected to do so and will be eligible to return for the Wild on March 4 in Seattle Kraken. Hartman will keep roughly $97,600 in salary for having had his suspension reduced.

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras was suspended three games for interference against Detroit's Michael Rasmussen.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced its verdict Monday.

The play in question happened during the second period of Sunday's game between the Ducks and Red Wings. Zegras was shadowing Rasmussen through the neutral zone when Rasmussen made a passing attempt off the glass. After Rasmussen had released the puck, Zegras delivered a hard, high hit to Rasmussen's head.

There was no interference call made by an official on the ice. Rasmussen went down after the hit and eventually left the game because of an upper-body injury. He did not return, and also did not travel with Detroit ahead of its game against Minnesota on Tuesday. Detroit coach Todd McLellan said Rasmussen was day-to-day.

In a video detailing its decision, the Department of Player Safety explained that Zegras approached Rasmussen "outside the window where a check may be legally finished" and that the "late, high hit made significant contact with Rasmussen's head." That, combined with the force of Zegras' delivery, is why he earned a three-game ban.

Zegras -- serving the second suspension of his career -- will be eligible to return for Anaheim on March 4 against Edmonton.

The Anaheim Ducks acquired veteran goaltender Ville Husso from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations Monday, the club announced.

The Ducks, who saw starter John Gibson leave Saturday's win over the Boston Bruins because of an injury, will first send Husso to the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League.

A popular name on the trade market, largely because of his contract, Husso, 30, is playing out the final days of a three-year deal he signed with Detroit that carries a $4.75 million salary cap hit.

Whether he can be viewed as a No. 1 option, or even a reliable No. 2 down the stretch remains to be seen, though, as his numbers lack that type of identity. He has never played more than 56 games in a season, and that came in 2022-23, when he won 26 for the Red Wings.

Earlier this season, Husso was sent to Detroit's AHL affiliate, as the Red Wings shifted their focus in net to veterans Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon. At the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Husso was just 1-5-2 with a 3.69 goals-against average. But on an expiring deal, he did make several trade boards this month.

The 2024-25 NHL trade season began early, as the Carolina Hurricanes landed Mikko Rantanen and the New York Rangers secured J.T. Miller. But many big names remain on the board, raising the usual questions as we look ahead to the March 7 deadline:

Who are the contenders that could make a big push? Which teams are caught between either going for a wild-card spot or moving on from players to collect draft capital? And how can the teams that are destined for the lottery use the deadline to gain more draft picks for their rebuilds?

Here's a comprehensive look at what the trade deadline could mean for every team, complete with the players and picks that are expected to be in play, as well as the salary cap restrictions. Plus, we identify the moves we think each team should make.

Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Cap space figures are per PuckPedia as of Feb. 23.

Vitor Roque's transfer from Barcelona to Palmeiras is set to fall through due to the Royal Spanish Football Federation's [RFEF] regulations which prevent Real Betis cutting his loan short, various sources have told ESPN.

Sources have told ESPN Brazil that Palmeiras are exploring workarounds, but there is pessimism about bringing the striker to the club before the transfer window closes in the country on Friday.

Palmeiras had agreed a 25 million fee with Barça for Roque, with the Catalan club maintaining 20% of any future transfer.

However, for the deal to be completed, Roque would have to return to Barça from his loan at Betis, where he has been playing since August, before being able to sign for Palmeiras.

Article 159 of the RFEF's general regulations explains that loans can be cut short if the two clubs and the player are all in agreement, but that the club where the player is set to return -- in this case Barça -- must be inside a registration period.

That is not the case after the transfer window in Spain closed earlier this month.

The same article also states that loans are un-transferable, ruling out the possibility of Roque going directly from Betis to Palmeiras on loan before finalising a permanent deal in the future.

As things stand, the 19-year-old will therefore remain at Betis until the summer, where he has scored seven goals in 33 appearances so far this season.

Roque joined Barça in January 2024 from Athletico Paranaense for an initial fee of around 30m with the same amount due again in potential add-ons.

He found appearances hard to come by at the Blaugrana, scoring twice in 16 games last season before heading out to Betis on loan.

He had previously made his name at Athletico Paranaense, where he scored 28 times in 81 games as a teenager, earning him his solitary Brazil cap in 2023.

ESPN Brazil's Francisco De Laurentiis contributed to this story.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged supporters to make Anfield "horrible" for opponents in the coming months as his team seek to get their Premier League title challenge over the line.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai helped Liverpool beat reigning champions Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad on Sunday, moving Arne Slot's side 11 points clear at the top of the table.

While second-place Arsenal have a game in hand, Liverpool are now the overwhelming favourites to get their hands on the trophy this season and have the added advantage of seven of their last 11 league games being at home.

Speaking to reporters after Liverpool's win in Manchester, Van Dijk said: "I mentioned it after that [Wolves] game, that obviously it's pretty normal to be [nervous] like that," he said. "It is a human [reaction] that there could be some anxious feelings kicking in, and that could still be the case.

"But I think it only helps us and them [the supporters] as well to make Anfield horrible for the opponent. Most of the time we have been doing that, and obviously the way we play helps with that as well.

"How many home games are left? Seven out of 11. So let's make sure those seven are going to be amazing, as loud as possible. I don't think we have to speak about it because normally that is the case.

"So let's go, enjoy, focus on Wednesday now, and then we'll see what happens after."

Liverpool's win against City marked the club's first Premier League victory at the Etihad in a decade. It was the fourth game in a testing run of five matches in 15 days for the league leaders, who host Newcastle United at Anfield on Wednesday night.

"This was a big win," Van Dijk said. "I told the guys, 'Don't take these wins for granted, but when you go home, recover and be ready for the preparation for Newcastle.'

"That's the only thing we have to do. Tunnel vision. Nothing else matters really. And we need our fans to be in great shape on Wednesday as well."

Van Dijk has played every minute of Liverpool's Premier League season so far, playing alongside Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah, all of whom have dealt with injury issues.

His contract situation with the Merseyside club remains unresolved, however, with his existing deal due to expire at the end of the season.

Turkish Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray have said they will "initiate criminal proceedings" and report Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho to FIFA and UEFA over what they call "racist statements."

The move comes after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in a tense league match in Istanbul on Monday night.

Mourinho had welcomed the appointment of a non-Turkish referee, with Slovenian Slavko Vinčić chosen to officiate. After the match, Mourinho made a point of praising the referee, highlighting the fact he was not from Turkey.

"The performance of the referee was a top performance," Mourinho told his post-match news conference.

"Anyone, not just from this country but also abroad, watched a big football match. I think the man responsible for that was the referee.

"I went to the referee's dressing room after the game. Of course the fourth official was there, a Turkish referee. And I told him [the referee], thank you [for coming] here.

"I turn myself to the fourth official and I told [him] this match, if you are the referee...would be a disaster. When I say him, I say the general tendency."

Mourinho was also asked about an incident early in the game involving his 19-year-old defender Yusuf Akcicek, to which he said: "Again, I have to thank the referee because with a Turkish referee after the big dive and the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys on top of the kids.

"A Turkish referee would have [given Akcicek] a yellow card after one minute and after five minutes I would have to change him."

Galatasaray responded with a statement, saying: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people.

"Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.

"We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.

"Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahçe -- an institution professing to uphold "exemplary moral values" -- in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager."

Mourinho has been critical of the officiating in Turkey this season. In January, he said there was a "toxic" environment around referees in the Süper Lig.

Manchester United have announced plans to make up to another 200 staff redundant as part of their continuing cost-cutting measures.

United announced their first wave of job losses last season with around 250 employees leaving in the summer. The latest cuts -- unveiled just days after the one-year anniversary of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival as co-owner -- will be in addition to those redundancies and will affect between 150 and 200 club staff.

"We have a responsibility to put Manchester United in the strongest position to win across our men's, women's and academy teams," CEO Omar Berrada said in a statement released on Monday. "We are initiating a wide-ranging series of measures which will transform and renew the club.

"Unfortunately, this means announcing further potential redundancies and we deeply regret the impact on those affected colleagues. However, these hard choices are necessary to put the club back on a stable financial footing."

Sources told ESPN that staff will find out if they are affected by the cuts between April and June.

United have announced losses of more than 300 million ($379m) over the last three years.

Last week, the club issued their latest financial results which showed revenues have dropped to 198.7m for the final three months of 2024, down from 225.8m for the same period a year earlier.

"We have lost money for the past five consecutive years," Berrada added.

"This cannot continue. Our two main priorities as a club are delivering success on the pitch for our fans and improving our facilities. We cannot invest in these objectives if we are continuously losing money."

In addition to further redundancies, United are planning to move some staff from offices at Old Trafford to their Carrington training ground. There will also be a "reduced presence" at their London office in Mayfair.

In a staff meeting on Monday, staff were also informed that free lunches at Old Trafford will come to an end. A source has told ESPN that bosses expect the move to save the club more than 1m every year.

Sources added to ESPN that the club will focus its charitable donations on the Manchester United Foundation (MUF) and Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association, with conversations ongoing with the MUF over the value of the contributions.

Nigerian musical artist Tems, the Grammy-award-winning and Oscar-nominated singer, songwriter and producer, recently joined the San Diego FC ownership group as a club partner ahead of their 2025 MLS expansion season.

While her move makes her the first African woman to own - in part or full - a professional team in the USA, it adds to the growing number of African women who are taking ownership roles in clubs outside Africa.

"We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner," SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.

"Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us to reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which of course has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organization."

On Instagram the singer shared her excitement about her investment, expressing her deep connection to football.

"Hey San Diego, it's Tems, and I'm so excited to be a part of SDFC. I am thrilled to join San Diego FC's ownership group and be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and community. Football unites people in a powerful way, and I'm eager to help build something special in San Diego," she wrote.

She went further to reveal how her love for football goes back a long way: "I have always loved football. Growing up, I watched my brother play with his friends, and I was always intrigued."

Beyond her ownership ambitions, Tems is also committed to developing young football talents through a partnership with Right to Dream Academy, pointing to the parallels between music and sports in providing opportunities for young people.

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Here are some other African women who have put their money behind their love of the beautiful game.

Akosua Puni Essien - FC Como - Italy

The wife of former Chelsea and Ghana star Michael Essien, Akosua Puni Essien became the first African woman to own a foreign football club when she bought Italian third division club Como at an auction in 2017. The club had gone into bankruptcy following financial issues and was auctioned for 237 000 Euros.

Essien put in the highest bid to beat out competition from over thirty buyers to gain ownership of the 100-year old club, and renamed it FC Como.

The purchase made her the first Ghanaian to own a European club, but more importantly, it made her the first African woman to do so and the first foreign female club owner in Italy.

Among the notable former players who have turned out for Como are Italy's 1982 FIFA World Cup heroes Paolo Rossi, who made six appearances on loan in 1975-76, and Marco Tardelli, who spent a season at the club before making his move to Juventus in 1976.

Legendary Azzurri full-back Gianluca Zambrotta, who won the FIFA World Cup in 2006 with Italy, and current Lazio and Italy midfielder Marco Parolo are products of the Como youth system.

Unfortunately, the club had their application to be Como's successor in Serie C rejected by the FIGC, the Italian Football Federation. Instead, another company, which was named Como 1907 S.r.l., were admitted and now compete in Serie A.

Eni Aluko - FC Como Women

In 2024, former England women's player Eniola Aluko joined the ranks of African women to own a football club when she acquired a major stake in FC Como women's team.

Nigeria-born Aluko announced that she was part of Mercury 13, a $100 million ownership group that secured a majority stake in the club, which was established in 2020 and competes in Italy's Serie A.

Aluko moved to England as child and went on to enjoy a successful career with the Lionesses before transitioning to broadcasting and sports management, serving as Sporting Director for Aston Villa and Angel City FC.

Speaking on the investment, Aluko said: "We bought the majority stakes in Como Women; it was the sort of play on how can we shift the narrative of women's football, how can we speak to a new audience, how can we create a new world in women's football by investing in it."

Nneka Ede - Lusitano SAD - Portugal

Three years after Essien's accomplishment, Nigeria's Nneka Ede became only the second African woman to take ownership of a foreign club when she purchased Portuguese third division club Lusitano Ginasio Club Futebol SAD in 2020.

Ede, a former semi professional footballer who was born in the UK, played in England and was the first diaspora player to try out for the Nigeria senior women's national team. She acquired a 100 percent stake in the century-old club.

At the time, she said her goal was not just to build the club, but to help create a pathway for young footballers. She said: "I am excited about this opportunity and I hope that this new chapter will deepen the already great sporting relations between Nigeria and Portugal, continue with the rich history of Lusitano club, and provide a pathway for young talent to develop and shine through."

Ede still currently owns the Evora-based club, which competes in the third division of the Portuguese league.