The Pittsburgh Penguins have made their choice for the team’s new head coach. News emerged on Wednesday afternoon that Dan Muse has been hired the team’s next head coach. Muse is the 23rd head coach in franchise history and he’ll replace Mike Sullivan behind the bench.
NEWS: The Penguins have hired Rangers assistant coach Dan Muse as their next head coach, the team announced Wednesday.Details and analysis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/640…
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Dan Muse Hired as Pittsburgh Penguins Head Coach
Muse has been an assistant with the New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators. The 42-year-old coach was most-recently with the Blueshirts from 2023-25 under Peter Laviolette. He was an assistant in Nashville from 2017-20.
The Canton, Mass. native helped guide his teams to three divisional titles during his stints as an assistant. Muse helped run the penalty-killing units with both the Predators and the Rangers. Both teams had strong PK units while he was helming them.
He’s also won titles at the NCAA, USHL, and IIHF U18 and U20 levels. Muse helped Yale win the NCAA Division I title in 2013. He’s served with USA Hockey and helped Rutger McGroarty, Ryan Leonard, Will Smith, Zeev Buium and Luke Hughes during their development stages.
What It Means
Penguins General Manager has decided to give someone without NHL experience a shot. A number of names like Mitch Love and others had appeared in coaching searches. However, Dubas has decided to go with Muse.
Pittsburgh’s special teams have struggled in recent seasons and Muse might be able to help the penalty-killing unit. The Penguins were 18th in the league when it comes to killing off penalties.
He also has experience in developing young talent, as he was with the United States National Team Development Program from 2020-23. Pittsburgh may have an influx of young players through stockpiling assets. Muse may be able to help develop these younger players.
Dubas is putting his faith in a coach that’s not been a bench boss at the NHL level. However, it could be a chance for the Penguins to finally move forward.
Main photo by: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
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