PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins are transitioning through the Sidney Crosby era’s twilight, gearing up for what lies ahead.
This is a point Kyle Dubas, the general manager, has emphasized repeatedly: it’s essential to have a coach who can connect with veterans while also nurturing young talent.
Over the last two decades, he has explored the former role and has now joined forces with Dan Muse, who excels at the latter.
Dubas appointed the 42-year-old Muse as Pittsburgh’s new head coach on Wednesday, tasking him with restoring the team’s relevance after the Penguins have faced three consecutive early playoff exits.
Muse takes over from Mike Sullivan, who parted ways with Pittsburgh in April after nearly ten years at the helm, during which he guided the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. The Rangers quickly brought Sullivan on board in early May.
Sullivan’s exit was amicable; he also expressed gratitude to the city of Pittsburgh last week. In New York, he will find himself equipped to compete with a more seasoned roster.
In contrast, Muse inherits a Penguins team that is navigating a significant transition, making him the seventh of eight coaching vacancies filled this offseason, stepping into a challenging role as the team seeks to revitalize its standing.
Dubas mentioned that the organization met with “numerous candidates” before settling on Muse, who has substantial experience as an NHL-level assistant and has previously excelled in talent development, having led the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2020 to 2023.
“What sets Dan apart is his player development skills, consistent successful coaching, and his success with specialty NHL teams,” Dubas stated. “From effective development in college and junior leagues to impactful engagement with NHL veterans, Dan has proven his ability to connect with players at every level of their careers and help them reach their potential.”
Muse’s coaching background includes championship titles across various levels. He was an assistant at Yale during their NCAA Championship win in 2013. He served as head coach of the Chicago Steel in the USHL when they clinched the Clark Cup in 2017, with many of his players going on to win World Tournaments.
Since arriving in the NHL with Nashville in 2017, he oversaw the league’s top penalty kill unit. When he assumed a similar role with the Rangers in 2023, he achieved comparable success.
“His comprehensive work, attention to detail, and vision for our group demonstrated that he is the right coach to advance our team,” Dubas remarked.
Muse’s roster will include 21-year-old Rutger McGroarty, a player he collaborated with during his time at USA Hockey, currently regarded as the top prospect within the Penguins’ system.
Muse’s challenge will be to create a harmonious blend of youthful talent, highlighted by McGroarty, with the team’s established stars like Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.
Crosby signed an extension last fall that keeps him in Pittsburgh for two additional seasons, while Letang is locked in until 2028. Malkin, who recently turned 39, is entering the final year of his contract.
Dubas has been preparing for this moment, accumulating draft assets over the past 16 months. The Penguins possess 30 selections in the next three drafts, including 18 in the initial three rounds. Dubas may opt to package some of these picks to acquire NHL-ready players.
Pittsburgh is expected to have more flexibility under the salary cap to enhance the roster, but Dubas aims to cultivate a sustainable framework instead of a quick fix.
Muse will take over a team where goalies Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic faced challenges last season, addressing urgent needs for scoring to complement Crosby and his linemates Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.
Mike Johnston was dismissed just over two months into his second season when the Penguins previously hired a coach without NHL head coaching experience, eventually replaced by Sullivan. Sullivan’s fiery demeanor, along with pivotal moves from then-General Manager Jim Rutherford, led Pittsburgh to its first Stanley Cup in nearly two decades and back-to-back championships.
Sullivan’s goal was clear: rejuvenate the Penguins. Similarly, Muse’s task is to guide the franchise through this transitional period, bridging one generation to the next.
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Source: apnews.com