Brandon Duhaime moved on from the Washington Capitals earlier this month, signing a three-year, $7.8 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After inking his free-agent deal, the rambunctious winger explained why he felt Toronto was the right destination for him, citing the organization’s history and the club’s moves to strengthen its roster following its first playoff miss in a decade.
“I think just, looking at the history of this team and how good they’ve been over the years, I just thought it’d be a great fit,” Duhaime said during his introductory meeting with Toronto media. “And obviously, they added some really good pieces over free agency and from the end of the year. I’m just really excited to join the team.”
Outside of Duhaime, the Maple Leafs have also acquired Darren Raddysh, Emil Andrae, Sergei Bobrovsky, Troy Stecher, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, and Nick Paul this offseason. They were also the first team on the clock in the 2026 NHL Draft, adding Gavin McKenna to their forward ranks.
The move north of the border also carries some personal significance for Duhaime.
“My father’s from there,” Duhaime said. “I think he moved away pretty early in his life, but yeah, he’s from there, so it’s pretty special.”
Duhaime spent two seasons with the Capitals, serving as a penalty killer and primarily playing to the left of Nic Dowd at five-on-five. He was also a notable prankster and one of the team’s top enforcers, becoming an incredibly popular presence in the locker room.
The love his teammates had for him was evident on multiple occasions this past season, highlighted by a standing ovation after he fought Jacob Trouba in a January game against the Anaheim Ducks, avenging a borderline hit from the rearguard that had injured Ryan Leonard, and when he received a team fist-bump line at the penalty box after he fought Utah’s Brandon Tanev in March.
Duhaime plans to bring that hard-nosed identity with him to Toronto.
“I think it’s a part of my game,” Duhaime said. “I wouldn’t say I go looking for it. I think it’s more so just anytime you play a hard-checking game, stuff like that kind of finds you. It’s super important to continue to play on the edge while being able to help a team win, and just being right on that line.”
Before joining the Maple Leafs, Duhaime had the opportunity to spend two seasons alongside Alex Ovechkin, watching the Capitals captain become the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer. Ovechkin signed a one-year contract to return to the Caps shortly before Duhaime’s media availability, and the 29-year-old forward was asked to reflect on his time as a teammate of the legendary winger.
“Yeah, I mean this guy’s incredible,” Duhaime said. “What is he, 41, 42? Just incredible that this guy is still finding ways to put up 30-goal seasons, and just as a fan of the game, just to be able to watch him, and over the past two years, be able to see him break those records was pretty surreal.
“Growing up watching him and then being part of that was absolutely incredible. And, you know, obviously wish him nothing but the best this season, and just a really incredible story, and just really happy for him and his family.”
Duhaime, an aspiring social media influencer/vlogger with his spearfishing exploits, is currently back home in Florida, where he spends his summers. He plans to prep for his first season with the Maple Leafs down south before heading up for his first training camp with his new team.
“It’s where I’m from, where I grew up, and I feel really comfortable down here,” Duhaime said. “I have a really good gym, pretty local. A lot of players are spending summers in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami area, so we end up getting some really good skates down here and have some really good skills coaches as well. It’s a pretty good little program.”
Duhaime will head into the 2026-27 campaign with 70 career points (33g, 37a) in 375 games. He played in all 164 games for the Capitals over two seasons, recording a career-high 21 points (9g, 12a) in 2024-25.
