The Penguins are about to announce the hiring of first-time NHL coach Dan Muse, per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, which is pretty shocking to some.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have named Dan Muse as the 23rd head coach in franchise history, President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas announced today, which was also first reported by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
Muse, 42, brings 20 years of coaching experience, including five seasons in the NHL as an assistant, most recently with the New York Rangers (2023-25) and before that with the Nashville Predators (2017-20).
His teams captured three division titles and two Presidents' Trophies: Nashville (2017-18) and New York (2023-24).
Recognized for his stout special-teams play, Muse coordinated Nashville's penalty kill from 2017 to 2019, which was fourth in the league.
He held the same position in New York, where the Rangers recorded the NHL's fourth-strongest PK percentage and second-strongest net penalty killing percentage since he took over.
A Canton, Massachusetts native, Muse boasts a history of success at multiple levels. He's won championships in the NCAA, USHL, and international levels, including the 2013 NCAA championship as Yale's assistant.
Muse was also the head coach of the USHL's Chicago Steel from 2015-17 and guided the team to its first Clark Cup championship in 2017.
Muse began coaching in 2005 at Milton Academy after detours through Williams College and Sacred Heart. He was at Yale for six seasons (2009-14) and then returned as associate head coach in 2015.
Having a deep coaching resume and proven ability in player development as well as guiding winning clubs, Muse now holds his first NHL head coaching job in Pittsburgh.
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There have been plenty of New York Rangers legends since their founding in 1926 as one of the Original Six teams. In this exercise, I will create a “starting six” of one goalie, two defensemen, and three forwards that represent the best Rangers players in history at their respective positions. Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist This was essentially a battle between Henrik Lundqvist and Mike Richter, with Lundqvist ultimately winning out because of his durability and consistency. Drafted in the seventh round, he went on to become a lifelong Ranger, playing 887 games for them and amassing a career .918 save percentage (SV%) and 2.43 goals-against average (GAA). He was a Vezina Trophy winner in 2012, a five-time NHL All-Star, and was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. There were several seasons in the middle of his career where he almost single-handedly dragged an otherwise mediocre team into the playoffs. Richter, though he was a bit more inconsistent over the course of his career than Lundqvist and did not put up quite the sterling numbers, is likewise a Rangers legend. He was able to capture a Stanley Cup in 1994, a feat that Lundqvist was unable to accomplish. Defensemen: Brian Leetch and Harry Howell Brian Leetch is the obvious first choice. He is second in all-time points scored by a defenseman for the Rangers and was one of the most prolific offensive defensemen in NHL history. An elite skater with great offensive skill and vision, Leetch was an 11-time All-Star, two-time Norris Trophy winner, and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1994 with a spectacular playoff performance to lead the Rangers to the Stanley Cup. Harry Howell does not possess the point totals of other Rangers defense legends, players like Brad Park or Ron Greschner. His contributions to the Rangers came via defensive prowess, elite puck-moving ability, and durability. Howell leads all past and present Rangers with 1,060 games played in a Blueshirt uniform. He won the Norris Trophy in 1967 before Bobby Orr dominated the award for the next decade. Howell was a mainstay on the Rangers blue line for the 50s and 60s, and his number was retired in 2009. Forwards: Mark Messier, Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle Mark Messier was only a Ranger for six seasons, but his time there was memorable. He was the captain all six seasons, was above a point per game each season, and led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup in 1994. He was a fearless leader and had so many legendary moments during the Rangers’ 1994 Cup run, perhaps none bigger than guaranteeing that the Rangers would win Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final versus the New Jersey Devils. Rod Gilbert is the all-time leader in goals and points for the Rangers, with 406 and 1,021, respectively. He played his entire career with New York, a career that spanned 18 years and 1,065 games. While he never won a Stanley Cup, he is perhaps the first truly great Ranger, and he was the first to have his number retired, a feat that occurred just two seasons after he announced his retirement. Jean Ratelle was one of the most dynamic offensive players in Rangers history. He is a member of perhaps the most dangerous line in Rangers’ history with Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield. His elite offensive production was at its peak in the mid-1970s, headlined by the 1971-72 season that saw him produce 46 goals and 109 points in just 63 games. How Close Are Current Players? There are a few current Rangers that are on the outside looking in of this starting six, but the reality is that no one is particularly close to breaking through. Artemi Panarin actually leads all Rangers in points per game at 1.28, but he has only played seven seasons in New York and has not had enough playoff success. Igor Shesterkin has put up great numbers, but, similarly to Panarin, has not played enough seasons or done enough in the playoffs to challenge Lundqvist for his spot here. Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox are also somewhat close, but still a step away from the efficiency and leadership elements that the players above possess.
20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will return to the tennis court to play one more match at this year’s Shanghai Masters. Federer, who celebrated his 44th birthday on Friday, played his final match on the professional scene in September 2022 at the Laver Cup. It was an emotionally intoxicating doubles match in which Federer reunited with his great rival, Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer Announces Tennis Return Three years on from his retirement, Federer plans to grace the courts in Shanghai to play a celebrity doubles match. The tournament confirmed on X that the legendary Swiss will return to China at the start of October, when this year’s edition will be up and running. “Roger Federer is coming back to Shanghai. Join us on October 10th for the @rogerfederer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match!” The tournament relayed the news. While the full schedule of who Federer will partner or play with is unknown for now, that match will take place two days before the singles final of the 2025 Shanghai Masters. In a short video announcing his return for one more doubles match, the two-time Shanghai champion said, “Hello, this is Roger. I’m really happy to be returning to the Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Shanghai has always been a special place for me, with great fans and unforgettable memories, and a real love for the game. I look forward to seeing you there on October 10th. Shanghai, let’s meet.” Why Shanghai? Shanghai is the penultimate Masters 1000 on the calendar and has previously been voted as the best ATP tournament of the year by players. The tournament represents some of the world’s best brands, including Rolex, which is its title sponsor. The Swiss watchmaker company is one of Federer’s most valuable sponsors. Federer has endorsed Rolex since 2001, and that partnership continues to grow stronger post-retirement. Federer has visited Shanghai in each of the last two years and has toured the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, which serves as the main court in the tournament. In 2023, he was presented with the Icon Athlete Award by the tournament in honor of his illustrious career in front of a packed stadium. And last year, Federer watched on from the stands as Jannik Sinner defeated one of his former rivals, Novak Djokovic, in the final.
The New York Yankees have lost three straight series, and their playoff positioning is getting weaker by the day. They're now just a half-game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the AL's third and final Wild Card spot after Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Houston Astros. The bright side is that generational superstar Aaron Judge returned on Tuesday after missing 10 games with an elbow injury. However, the 33-year-old has been in the designated hitter slot since then, as he's still not ready to play the outfield. That's caused fellow slugger and regular designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton to be partially phased out of the lineup, since he's almost solely an offensive player at this point in his career. He hadn't played the field since 2023 before starting in right field on Saturday. Additionally, New York has been inconsistent on both sides of the ball. For example, two-time All-Star relief pitcher Devin Williams is 0-2 with a blown save since Monday, and the offense has averaged just 2.83 runs per game in that period. Judge opened up to the media about the situation after Sunday's loss, via SNY. "It's tough, but there's no excuses. We're getting paid to go out there, perform at our best, and win baseball games," he said. "The fans are still packing out and showing support for us, and we gotta show up for them. We've got to go out there and do our job. " "That's what it comes down to...We're not doing our job, we're not doing the little things that put ourselves in position to win baseball games," he continued. "It's going to take all of us...I wouldn't say the confidence has really changed." Aaron Judge Health Update Provides Silver Lining for Yankees New York is having a brutal stretch, as its 201 runs allowed since July 1 is the third-most in MLB. While the team must improve its pitching and defense, it has a pathway to quickly improve its offense. Once Judge is ready to throw again, the Yankees can go back to starting him in right field with Stanton at designated hitter. If they both play to their full potential, then the team could shoot back up the standings. Stanton was the ALCS MVP last season, and Judge leads baseball with a .337 batting average and 1.137 OPS. Judge admitted on Sunday that he doesn't know when he'll be able to play the field again, but his throwing program is going well so far, via SNY. If the future Hall of Famer continues to avoid setbacks, it increases the chances that he'll return to the outfield before the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers big man Maxi Kleber hasn't been viewed favorably by the team's fan base this offseason. While a few loyal fans have shown support for him, he has primarily been perceived as a trade chip. This hasn't deterred the 33-year-old from working on himself. With the promise of a better performance in the upcoming season, Kleber posted a video of himself showcasing elite athleticism, providing a taste of what Lakers fans can look forward to. Given that Kleber only suited up for the Purple and Gold once, fans weren't sure what to expect. After viewing his explosive dunk and shredded physique in this latest video, however, the fans were in awe. With several fans sharing their reactions on social media, we check out some of the best ones from X. "This video can't be recent... if so, Jaxson, get ready to learn benchwarming buddy," joked one fan. One faithful user defended Kleber and said, "Don’t start hyping him up now after y'all wanted him traded." "He windmilling now?" added one fan, still in shock. "That contract year will have players acting different," responded another. "Bruh, I didn't know Kleber had bounce like this," stated one user. "I may be in the minority... I want to see Maxi stretch the floor," added one fan, presenting their strategies. Another faithful user shared, "Lakers better hold onto him." "He better do that s**t during the season," joked another fan. "Ain't no way what?" said another surprised fan. "I'm good with Maxi Kleber staying on the team," stated one user, convinced of the big man's abilities. Although Kleber hasn't had the opportunity to showcase the extent of his abilities with the Lakers, there's reason to believe that he could be a valuable contributor on the team. Given his experience of playing alongside Luka Doncic, the veteran big man already positions himself as a capable option with established chemistry with the Lakers' superstar. His athletic ability, along with his shooting skills, have kept defenses honest, creating gaps on the floor for his teammates to exploit. Apart from the tangible skills, Kleber is also presented as a high-IQ player, with Lakers head coach JJ Redick even raving about the big man's intelligence. This could also be a vital aspect of ensuring his place in the rotation. The only challenge for the 33-year-old is that he is simply a good player in a complex situation with the Lakers. The Purple and Gold have title aspirations, and to fulfill this, the team has made necessary moves to improve its roster strength. To continue with this process, the Lakers could make upgrades by leveraging their trade assets, and Kleber happens to be one of them. As an expiring contract worth $11.0 million, the Lakers could package Kleber along with some other pieces to acquire another key rotation player. While this may not favor the veteran, it is a move to satisfy the team's immediate roster needs. Regardless, it is apparent that Kleber has value. Should Los Angeles choose to retain him, they will have a solid contributor off the bench to shore up their big man rotation.
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