NHL insider Elliotte Friedman spoke about new particulars surrounding former Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love’s firing. The group made this choice after the league suspended him amid allegations of home abuse. Within the Monday episode of the 32 Ideas podcast, Friedman mentioned how the state of affairs unfolded and shared what he discovered in regards to the NHL’s dealing with of the case.
Love was suspended by the NHL after it investigated the home abuse allegations made in opposition to him. Following the investigation, the Capitals fired him and mentioned the choice was primarily based on the findings of the league’s evaluate. Love joined Washington in 2023 after teaching within the AHL and WHL.
Friedman mentioned that when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gave his ruling, he made it clear that the choice was closing.
“One of many issues I understood was when the commissioner made his ruling, he indicated that his ruling was closing and there was no place for attraction,” Friedman mentioned on Monday. [1:33:59 onwards]
He added that Mitch Love doesn’t have the choice to attraction the suspension throughout the league.
“So no less than in NHL circles, love doesn’t have grounds for an attraction right here. So I simply do not know if that is the final we have heard of this, or if he goes outdoors and take a look at one thing authorized to defend himself,” Friedman defined.
Friedman additionally mentioned the story got here up unexpectedly and took time to develop.
“This story form of got here out of nowhere,” he mentioned. “Love was in negotiations for one of many open jobs this previous summer season when contact was made with each the league and one of many groups concerned.”
He talked about that investigators then started to assemble the information to grasp what had occurred. He shared that Sportsnet additionally seemed into the story earlier however determined to not report on it on the time.
“We seemed into this final summer season at Sportsnet, myself and a few different individuals, and we have been simply by no means snug with the data to jot down about it or report on it,” Friedman mentioned.
Friedman spoke rigorously in regards to the state of affairs, saying it’s tough for everybody concerned.
“It’s a extremely, actually robust story, and it’s a extremely, actually unhappy story,” he mentioned. “You simply want the very best for everyone who’s concerned.”
Mitch Love denies allegations in first assertion after Capitals firing
On Monday, Mitch Love addressed the state of affairs publicly for the primary time. He was dismissed after the NHL’s suspension and mentioned he disagreed with the ruling however revered the method. In an announcement to the Washington Put up, Love mentioned,
“Whereas I’m disillusioned by and disagree with the NHL’s choice, I respect the method and settle for each the league’s findings and the Capitals’ choice.
“I’ll proceed to brazenly cooperate all through this course of. That mentioned, I totally deny the allegations in opposition to me and look ahead to returning to the game I really like as quickly as potential.”
The investigation started after the alleged sufferer contacted the NHL and the groups Mitch Love had spoken with in the course of the offseason.
Edited by Ankit Kumar