Washington Capitals' forward Tom Wilson is eligible to return to the NHL team immediately.
The 24-year-old forward has had his 20-game suspension reduced to 14 by a neutral arbitrator.
Wilson has already served 16 games for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis forward Oskar Sundqvist in the final pre-season game.
He will recoup nearly $380,000 of the $1.26-million he initially forfeited as part of the suspension.
Commissioner Gary Bettman upheld Wilson's suspension on appeal before it went to the arbitrator, the same one who earlier this season reduced Nashville forward Austin Watson's domestic violence suspension from 27 games to 18.
Wilson has been suspended by the league on three other occasions for illegal hits during games.