Washington Capitals forward Brandon Duhaime has been fined $2,500 by the NHL for unsportsmanlike conduct during a game against the Seattle Kraken. The incident occurred on the bench in the second period of the Capitals' 5-1 loss on January 27, 2026. The fine will support the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced on January 28, 2026, that Washington Capitals forward Brandon Duhaime has been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct toward an opponent while on the Capitals' bench. This penalty stems from NHL Game No. 839, a matchup in Seattle where the Kraken defeated the Capitals 5-1 on January 27, 2026. The incident took place at 12:50 of the second period, with 7:10 remaining in the frame, as captured in video footage from the Sound of Hockey account. Duhaime struck Seattle Kraken forward Jacob Melanson with the butt end of his stick as Melanson skated by the bench. The Kraken's telecast initially described the contact as 'an accidental stick,' but a replay confirmed the connection. Later in the game, with 1:10 left in the third period, Duhaime and Melanson dropped the gloves, resulting in a fight that Melanson won by securing the takedown. The league's full press release stated: 'Washington Capitals forward Brandon Duhaime has been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct toward an opponent while on Washington’s bench during NHL Game No. 839 in Seattle on Tuesday, Jan. 27.' The proceeds from the fine will go to the NHL Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. This event highlights ongoing enforcement of bench conduct rules in the league, though no further discipline, such as a suspension, was reported.
