PITTSBURGH — Dan Muse readily acknowledges that his playing history doesn`t quite align with the typical background of an NHL coach. Nevertheless, his years playing as what he describes as a “bad” forward at Division III Stonehill College, where he netted just five goals across 61 games, significantly shaped the path that eventually led him to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“That experience taught me about hard work,” Muse stated on Wednesday, just one week after the Penguins appointed him to succeed two-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Sullivan. “It taught me to never give up. Don’t stop. Ignore the outside noise and keep finding a way forward.”
This philosophy is something Muse has applied consistently throughout the past two decades, whether on the ice, teaching high school history, or coaching lacrosse.
Beyond hockey, teaching seems to be Muse`s true calling. He`s always been drawn to the challenge of unlocking someone`s potential – be it an established NHL All-Star, a promising 20-year-old prospect, or a student finding school difficult.
The fact that this passion propelled the 42-year-old to the pinnacle of a sport he`s loved his entire life is, in his view, largely a fortunate accident.
“It honestly doesn’t feel like I’ve ever worked a day,” he commented.
An extraordinary impact
Perhaps, but there is substantial work awaiting him in Pittsburgh. The team is navigating the potential twilight of the Sidney Crosby era while trying to build for whatever comes next.
These future plans are still in their early stages. General manager Kyle Dubas has spent the last 15 months focused on acquiring as many draft picks and young prospects as possible. The Penguins currently hold 30 selections over the next three years, with 18 of those in the first three rounds.
Muse’s developing reputation for successfully helping players reach their best seems like a solid fit for the Penguins` future direction. However, Dubas stressed that Muse`s ability extends beyond just developing young talent into professional players.
“Whether it’s a young player entering the league or a veteran working to stay in it, Dan makes an exceptional impact on everyone,” Dubas stated.
He will need to do so for a successful and lengthy tenure in Pittsburgh, a team that has missed the playoffs for the past three seasons and hasn`t advanced past the first round since 2018. While long-time captain Crosby, turning 38 this summer, remains one of the league’s most effective and reliable players, the Penguins have faced difficulties defensively and in goal.
Dubas is seeking a sustainable, long-term fix rather than a quick solution. Muse appears aligned with this approach, declining to set a specific timeframe for when Pittsburgh might again be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. He simply stated that the process will begin when the team gathers for training camp in September.
Muse mentioned he has spoken with or contacted approximately “95 percent” of the players under contract for the upcoming season. At this stage, his focus is on building relationships rather than delving into specific strategic philosophies, which will come later.
Not intimidated
Earlier in his coaching journey – particularly when he was hired as an assistant at Yale in 2009 – Muse was concerned his modest playing career might be a disadvantage. Now, the prospect of creating a game plan and asking future Hall of Famers like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to execute it doesn`t faze him.
“I’ve worked in nearly every possible role,” said Muse, who spent the last two years on Peter Laviolette’s staff with the New York Rangers. “Second assistant. First assistant. Video coach. Head coach at the junior level. Having the opportunity to work in two different NHL organizations, along with coaching so many different players, has given me significant confidence in my ability to take on this opportunity.”
This is a notable position for someone who grew up in a hockey-loving family but didn`t start playing seriously until age 11 while living in Alabama, not traditionally a hockey hotbed. Muse can’t pinpoint exactly what drew him to the sport; he simply always loved it. His parents encouraged this passion, and his strong work ethic did the rest.
Muse’s diverse background was a key reason Dubas was determined to open the coaching search to candidates with various experiences, not limiting it solely to individuals he already knew from his years in the NHL.
“If we hadn’t gone through that thorough process and just hired someone I previously knew or worked with, we wouldn’t have discovered the best coach for the Penguins,” Dubas concluded. “And that person is Dan.”
In a league known for frequently recycling coaches, the glasses-wearing Muse, with his distinct New England accent, offers a fresh perspective. In a sense, the Penguins are starting anew. Muse, who has achieved championships at every coaching level below the NHL, is just getting started at this highest level.
“I believe I will be a better coach a year from now, and I hope to be a better person than I am today sitting here,” he reflected. “That’s how it should be.”
Tristan Blackwood