Penguins Announce Unexpected Coaching Hire

Muse spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers, coaching under Peter Laviolette. Before joining the Rangers, Muse was an assistant with the Nashville Predators between 2017 and 2020.

Outside of his work as an NHL assistant, Muse has been a regular face in junior and developmental hockey. Muse has been behind the bench at various NCAA schools like Yale and Sacred Heart.

Following his time at the NCAA level and scattered around his stints in the NHL, Muse led the USHL’s Chicago Steel between 2015 and 2017.

Muse would go on to become the head coach of the United States National Development Team, leading Team USA at various international junior tournaments.

A coach of Muse’s caliber, with a long history of work with young players and prospects is the perfect situation for the Penguins. They are a team in transition as superstars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are nearing the end of their careers.

“From his success in developing college and junior players, to his impactful work with veteran players during his time in the NHL,” Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said. “Dan has shown a proven ability to connect with players at all stages of their careers and help them to reach their potential.”

Youngsters like Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, and Sergei Murashov are ready to take big steps at the NHL level and having a coach who has a lengthy history of working with developing players should make the transition easy on them.