Dan Muse Praises New Penguins Forward Duo

After the game, head coach Dan Muse spoke about Mantha's scoring ability and why he's so difficult to defend:

“He's been showing it all year, you know, just great poise, great hands. He's got that long reach too so it's hard to defend and just makes him dangerous, especially when he has space to to kind of cut across the way he does there. He had some some really good looks tonight. Some chances too that didn't go in, but yeah, he's been showing it all year.”

Muse’s comments reflect a player who has quietly put together a career season. Mantha already has personal bests in goals, assists, and points, production that has come at a crucial time for Pittsburgh.

After being limited to just 13 games with the Calgary Flames last season due to an ACL injury, he signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Penguins in July. What looked like a low-risk move has turned into one of the team’s most valuable additions.

Söderblom Adds a New Dimension

The Penguins’ newest addition, Elmer Söderblom, also played a key role since Kyle Dubas acquired the 6-foot-8 forward from the Detroit Red Wings. Söderblom scored the team’s first goal of the night against the Islanders, his second since being acquired at the deadline, which helped shift momentum early in the rally.

For a player still adjusting to a new system, his impact has been immediate. Muse didn’t hold back his praise when asked about Söderblom’s performance:

"He was awesome tonight. You see, like every game he's found a way to make some impact, and you know he's getting in on the forecheck, being around the net. I mean, he's just so hard to defend. It's everybody he's played against, like it's when he gets that puck down low. I mean, I don't know what the answer is in terms of how you defend a guy that size who can hold on to pucks and cut back the way he does. And he's getting to the net front, obviously the fight too, and so just really strong game from him."

At his size, combined with improving skill and mobility, Söderblom creates problems that most defenders simply aren’t built to handle. He can protect the puck, extend plays, and generate offense from areas where others would lose possession. Söderblom also had his first NHL fight that night against Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (video below).

In a game where 15 different Penguins recorded a point, contributions came from everywhere. That kind of depth is exactly what Pittsburgh will need moving forward.

The Pens are in the middle of their most demanding stretch of the 2025-26 season — five games in seven days — and every point matters in a crowded playoff race. If they carry this momentum into the postseason, they could make a serious run.