Former Calgary Flames AHL coach under investigation by NHL
A former Calgary Flames AHL head coach will not be on the bench for the Washington Capitals to start training camp.
Mitch Love is currently an assistant coach for the Capitals, but has been placed on a team-imposed leave as the NHL investigates the 41-year-old. Washington announced the leave on Sunday afternoon, but did not explain what the investigation is about.
Love served as the head coach of the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat and Calgary Wranglers for two seasons between 2021 and 2023. The Capitals hired him in June 2023, and he was entering his third season in Washington.
Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love has been placed on team-imposed leave pending results of an investigation by the National Hockey League. We will refrain from further comment until the NHL’s investigation is complete.
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) September 14, 2025
While the NHL and Capitals have not released information, The Washington Post’s Bailey Johnson has reported that the investigation stems from a letter that was sent to the league over the summer that contained allegations toward Love’s personal conduct. According to Johnson, the letter came to light as he was interviewing for NHL head coaching jobs around the league.
Johnson also reported that the Capitals will wait for the results of the league investigation before they decide on Love’s future with the club.
Love reportedly drew interest from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, and Seattle Kraken for a head coaching job this summer, but ultimately struck out on all three opportunities.
There was a time when Love was once seen as a promising NHL head coaching option around the league. That didn’t come with the Flames as GM Craig Conroy opted for Ryan Huska instead, citing Love’s lack of NHL experience.
He has had quite an impressive run on the Capitals bench in his first two seasons. He helped Washington to a Metropolitan Division title last season, although they bowed out in the second round after losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.
Training camp is set to start on-ice sessions on Thursday for the Capitals, and no timetable has been revealed by the league for when the results of the investigation will be released.