Who Is Dan Muse? 5 Fast Facts About the Rising Hockey Coach Everyone’s Talking About

PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Penguins made a surprise bench move Wednesday, naming 42-year-old Dan Muse as the 23rd head coach in franchise history, officially ending Mike Sullivan’s nine-year tenure. The hire vaults the former New York Rangers assistant into his first NHL head-coaching role and signals a philosophical reset for a club determined to squeeze another Stanley Cup window out of the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin core. Why the Penguins chose Muse • Modern bench resume: Muse spent the past two seasons overseeing the Rangers’ penalty kill and forwards, guiding New York to a top-five PK in 2024-25 and helping shape their north-south transition game. • Player-development pedigree: Before his Madison Square Garden stint, the Canton, MA native led USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, coaching future first-rounders like Logan Cooley and Cutter Gauthier. The Penguins, thin on top-tier prospects, see Muse as a bridge between their veteran core and a pipeline that must deliver quickly. • Systems fit: League scouts laud Muse’s data-driven approach that blends aggressive forechecking with layered defensive support—ideals that mirror GM Kyle Dubas’ push for higher-tempo, possession-based hockey. Contract and staff outlook Terms were not disclosed, but multiple league sources confirmed a four-year deal with an option for a fifth season. Muse is expected to retain goaltending coach Andy Chiodo while targeting a power-play specialist to revive a unit that slipped to 21st last year. Muse’s career arc • Yale assistant (2011-2013): Helped the Bulldogs capture the 2013 NCAA national title. • USHL head coach (2013-2016): Guided the Chicago Steel to their first Clark Cup championship. • Predators assistant (2017-2020): Implemented an aggressive PK that ranked top-ten back-to-back seasons. • Rangers assistant (2023-2025): Elevated special-teams efficiency and was regarded as a rising bench mind. Reaction from the room Crosby praised Muse’s “attention to detail and communication,” while defenseman Kris Letang cited Muse’s track record of “developing younger guys and holding veterans accountable.” Reports indicate that Sullivan, who brought two Cups to Pittsburgh, could be on Seattle’s shortlist, intensifying speculation ahead of the NHL coaching carousel. What changes on the ice? 1. Up-tempo transition: Expect defensemen to activate more frequently, using short exits to generate controlled entries. 2. Net-front urgency: Muse stresses layered screens and high-slot movement to free shooting lanes—an area that stagnated in Pittsburgh’s bottom-third 5-on-5 offense last season. 3. Penalty-kill evolution: A hybrid 1-1-2 look that alternates between passive contain and aggressive traps, something he refined in New York. Key offseason hurdles • Cap gymnastics: Jake Guentzel hits unrestricted free agency on July 1; retaining the winger without sacrificing depth will test Dubas’ roster math. • Goaltending clarity: Tristan Jarry’s inconsistency remains a concern; insiders suggest Muse backs analytic-heavy goalie deployment to manage workloads. • Youth integration: Prospects Brayden Yager and Owen Pickering are expected to challenge for roster spots in camp, aligning with Muse’s development focus. Bottom line Dan Muse’s hiring marries the Penguins’ win-now mandate with a need for forward-looking innovation. If his track record of special-teams success and player development translates, Pittsburgh could re-emerge as an Eastern Conference disruptor as early as next season.