Penguins fans had been impatiently waiting for Kyle Dubas to name a new coach after he let Mike Sullivan go following three consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs. He settled on a name that fans and the media were not focused on.
Dubas decided on Dan Muse and what a hire it is. Muse comes from the New York Rangers bench as he was an assistant the last few seasons and he also was an assistant in Nashville seasons prior.
Muse already knowing McGroarty is great for his development
It comes as a surprise that the Penguins were able to find a coach that already has experience with a player on the roster. But it is a nice surprise as it will really help Rutger McGroarty for seasons to come.
Having Muse as head coach, will really help McGroarty achieve his potential and really help him get his feet under him and really help the Penguins as they transition into the rebuild and the future of the team.
It was beneficial to get somebody that could really help the young guys develop and take huge strides as the next few seasons go on, and the Penguins nailed it with this hire.
At least it was not DJ Smith
For the last few weeks when Dubas was doing all of his zoom and in-person interviews for the head coach position, it was rumored that former Ottawa Senators head coach DJ Smith was a finalist.
Penguins fans held their breath as they were hoping and praying that he did not get the job and that they would go with somebody else. That was the case as Dubas hired Muse and Penguins fans breathed a sigh of relief.
Smith was not very good when he was behind the bench in Ottawa and it was evident that he would not be great in Pittsburgh had he gotten the job instead of Muse.