Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA

Former Frontrunner for Penguins Head Coach Job Placed on Suspension Due to Investigation


PUBLICATION
Jack Sutherland
September 14, 2025  (5:54 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY

Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love
Photo credit: Russian Machine Never Breaks

Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love, who was reportedly a candidate to replace Mike Sullivan as Pittsburgh Penguins head coach, has been placed on leave for an unnamed reason.

The Washington Capitals are making headlines today with their recent announcement that assistant coach Mitch Love has been placed on leave amid an ongoing investigation by the National Hockey League.
Per the Capitals PR account on X:
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.
No reason behind the decision by the Capitals was listed, and any speculation would be inappropriate.
Love was reportedly a candidate for the vacated coaching position of the Pittsburgh Penguins after they fired Mike Sullivan after their 3rd straight year of failing to qualify for the postseason. He was also reportedly a candidate in Boston for the Bruins coaching position, which would eventually go to Marco Sturm.
This comes days after the Buffalo Sabres placed director of player development Adam Mair on leave after he was arrested.

The Penguins hired Dan Muse as their head coach

After the firing of Sullivan, who had spent nearly 10 years on the job while leading the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cups, GM Kyle Dubas announced that a change in leadership was necessary.
The Penguins eventually hired former New York Rangers assistant Dan Muse as the next head coach, and also hired former Penguins forward Nick Bonino as an assistant to work on his staff.
Meanwhile, Sullivan took over the coaching responsibilities of the Rangers, who fired Peter Laviolette.
POLL
SEPTEMBRE 14   |   32 ANSWERS
Former Frontrunner for Penguins Head Coach Job Placed on Suspension Due to Investigation

Should the Penguins have hired Mitch Love instead of Dan Muse?

Yes412.5 %
No2887.5 %
List of polls

HOCKEYUNPLUGGED
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT