Washington Capitals Fire Assistant Coach Mitch Love After NHL Suspends Him for Season

The Washington Capitals have fired assistant coach Mitch Love following an NHL-led investigation into allegations of domestic abuse, leading to his suspension for the entire 2025-26 NHL season. Love, who joined the Capitals in 2023 and was considered a strong candidate for several NHL head coaching positions over the summer, was placed on leave in September during the investigation. The NHL cited "conduct detrimental to the league" as the reason for the suspension, with Love eligible to apply for reinstatement for the 2026-27 season under certain conditions. The investigation stemmed from a letter reporting the allegations, which were also shared with teams interviewing Love. The Capitals emphasized their commitment to maintaining high standards of conduct and accountability in announcing Love's termination. His lawyer has not commented on the situation, and the long-term impact on his coaching career remains uncertain.