The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday that Washington Capitals forward Brandon Duhaime has been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The fine is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. It stems from an incident that occurred at 12:50 of the second period during Washington’s game against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Duhaime was on the bench during the interaction. The $2,500 fine will go directly to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. As this was a fine and not a suspension, Duhaime will be available for Washington’s next game against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday
On March 9, 2025, Duhaime was a central figure in a scrum against Seattle that resulted in all 10 skaters on the ice being sent to the penalty box simultaneously. During that previous encounter, Duhaime was assessed a game misconduct for his role in a scrum with Seattle's Tye Kartye.
Washington’s Brandon Duhaime has been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct towards an opponent while on Washington’s bench.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 28, 2026
This season, Duhaime has tallied four goals and two assists for six points in 54 games while adding 58 penalty minutes. Duhaime is in the second year of a two-year, $3.7 million contract. According to the terms of the deal, the average annual value (AAV) is worth $1.85 million.
The 28-year-old was originally drafted by Minnesota in the fourth round, No. 106 overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Before turning pro, Duhaime was a proven winner at the junior level, helping the Tri-City Storm capture the USHL Clark Cup in 2016. He then headed to the NCAA and played for Providence College. By his junior year in 2018-19, Duhaime recorded a career-high 34 points and was named a Hockey East Third Team All-Star.