The Pittsburgh Penguins named Dan Muse as the 23rd head coach in franchise history on Wednesday.
He replaces Mike Sullivan, who had been head coach for nine-plus seasons before he and the team agreed to part ways. Muse had been an assistant coach with the New York Rangers, where Sullivan had been hired.
‘During this process, we met with many candidates who we felt would have been a fit as the next head coach of the Penguins, but ultimately, Dan Muse stood out as the best choice,’ general manager Kyle Dubas said. ‘What separated Dan was his ability to develop players, win at all levels where he has been a head coach and his consistent success coaching special teams in the NHL.
‘From his success in developing college and junior players, to his impactful work with veteran players during his time in the NHL, Dan has shown a proven ability to connect with players at all stages of their careers and help them to reach their potential.’
Who is Dan Muse?
Muse, 42, has 20 years of coaching experience, including five seasons in the NHL as an assistant coach with the Rangers (2023-25) and Nashville Predators (2017-20). Those teams won the Presidents’ Trophy twice and won three division titles. He oversaw those teams’ penalty-killing units.
He was head coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program from 2020-23, winning a gold medal at the 2023 world under-18 championship.
Muse was the Chicago Steel’s head coach from 2015-17, winning the United States Hockey League title in his second season.
Before Chicago, he had been an assistant or associate coach with several college teams, notably spending five years with Yale University.
What awaits Dan Muse in Pittsburgh?
The Penguins have missed the playoffs the past three seasons, finishing 11 points out in 2024-25. Of the core group, Sidney Crosby has two years left on his contract, Kris Letang has three and Evgeni Malkin is in his final year. Defenseman Erik Karlsson has two years left. Muse coached current Penguins prospect Rutger McGroarty with USA Hockey.
Pittsburgh ranked 18th in penalty killing last season and had the league’s fourth-worst team goals-against average.
NHL coaching hires
- The New York Rangers hired Mike Sullivan on May 1.
- The Anaheim Ducks hired Joel Quenneville on May 8.
- The Vancouver Canucks (Adam Foote) and Philadelphia Flyers (Rick Tocchet) hired coaches on May 14.
- The Blackhawks hired Jeff Blashill on May 22.
- The Kraken hired Lane Lambert on May 29.
- The Penguins hired Dan Muse on June 4.
NHL coach openings
Boston Bruins