Penguins Hire Former Rangers Assistant Dan Muse As Head Coach

The Pittsburgh Penguins have appointed Dan Muse, former New York Rangers assistant coach, as their new head coach, marking his first NHL head coaching role. Muse, known for his success in developing players at various levels and his expertise in coaching special teams, particularly penalty killing units, was chosen over other candidates due to his ability to connect with both young and veteran players. His hiring comes after the Penguins parted ways with Mike Sullivan, who left for the Rangers, and amid a transitional phase for the Penguins as longtime stars like Sidney Crosby approach the end of their careers. General Manager Kyle Dubas highlighted Muse's consistent success and player development skills as key reasons for the hire. Muse's background includes coaching in college hockey, junior leagues, and international competition, including a gold medal with the USA Under-18 team. The Penguins hope Muse's leadership will support the team's rebuild and improve areas such as their penalty kill, which ranked 18th last season, while aiding the development of younger players.