Penguins Coach Reveals Plans for Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh's Aging Core
Penguins Coach Reveals Plans for Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh's Aging Core originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Dan Muse has entered his first NHL head coaching job at the helm of the Pittsburgh Penguins under uncommon circumstances.
Advertisement
Muse is replacing a two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach in Mike Sullivan, inheriting an aging core of superstars — Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson — that averages nearly 37 years old, and facing a fan base starved for playoff hockey after missing the postseason three consecutive seasons.
While some first-year coaches might try to stamp their identity early, Muse is taking a different approach and has revealed he will lean on the experience of his current players.
'I've reached out to close to 95% of all players under contract,' Muse said. 'We're still finishing that part up. In regards to the veteran players, you're always working with the leaders. Guys that have been in this organization for such a long time. You're going to be leaning on them.'
The aforementioned veteran core features four players under contract for at least one more season, two for Crosby and Karlsson and as many as three in the case of Letang.
Advertisement
Muse, who spent the last eight years as an assistant with the Rangers and Predators, is only 42. He also joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program as a coach.
That makes him barely older than Crosby (37), Malkin (38) and Letang (38). Despite his newness to Pittsburgh and the head coach duties, he's made it clear he's not arriving to upend the current core but to work with it.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) warms up before a game at PPG Paints Arena.Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas emphasized that Muse's hiring came from a deliberate process, not familiarity, during the introductory press conference.
"It became clear that he was somebody that was going to be extraordinarily well-suited to develop all of our players," Dubas said. "Not just our young players, but all of them."
Advertisement
Despite suggestions floating the idea that Crosby might take a player-coach role along with Muse, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman dismissed that possibility on June 6.
"I can't think of Crosby as a player-coach," Friedman said. "I still think of him as an incredibly driven guy who wants to win more."
Related: Elliotte Friedman Gets Painfully Honest About Possible Player-Coach Role for Sidney Crosby
Related: NHL Trade Idea Sends Penguins' Erik Karlsson to Maple Leafs in One-for-One Deal
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Canadiens Predicted to Land 2-Time All-Star in Massive Offseason Move
Canadiens Predicted to Land 2-Time All-Star in Massive Offseason Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Montreal Canadiens are entering a crucial offseason following an inspirational run to the playoffs. Montreal took a massive step forward in terms of contention and is now expected to use the offseason as a way to build on the success. Advertisement The Canadiens have a solid young core in place, but if they want to keep growing, they may need an extra boost. Montreal could look to the free agent market to make that happen, and they seem to be a strong destination spot for players. One player who could help is star Brad Marchand from the Florida Panthers. Marchand will become a free agent once the Stanley Cup Final ends, and he could have a strong market. NHL writer Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report has linked Marchand to the Canadiens, in what would be a power move from Montreal. "But if the Canadiens are going to build on that, they cannot just rely on the young core to keep getting better. They need to complement it with more talent and some outside help, and they could use a two-way winger with some nastiness to his game. Marchand's two-way play, veteran presence and track record of playoff success might play well on a young team that is still learning how to win and trying to establish itself as a contender.", Gretz wrote. Advertisement Adding Marchand to this young team could enhance their chances next season to contend. Marchand has fit in well with the Panthers and is a big reason why the team sits only a few wins from another title. For the postseason, Marchand has scored seven goals and 10 assists over 19 games. His playoff production could net him a massive payday this offseason, with the Canadiens being an interesting landing spot. Related: Maple Leafs Gearing Up For Surprising Run at Panthers' Brad Marchand: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ducks Land Rangers' Chris Kreider in Blockbuster Move After Trade Drama: Report
Ducks Land Rangers' Chris Kreider in Blockbuster Move After Trade Drama: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Anaheim Ducks have made one of the biggest moves of the offseason, and the Stanley Cup Final isn't even over. Anaheim has acquired star Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers after days of trade drama. Advertisement Kreider originally had the Ducks on his no-trade list, but has decided to waive it. The veteran will now head to Anaheim to play under new head coach Joel Quenneville. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun confirmed that Kreider has accepted the deal to the Ducks. According to LeBrun, the Ducks were still working on the paperwork and would be processing the deal later today. This all comes after the thought that Kreider could dismiss the deal due to the no-trade list. While Kreider isn't the same player that he once was, this is still a big move for the Ducks. Anaheim has been looking to add more talent to the roster, and Kreider should give them a major boost. Advertisement The veteran suffered a down season last year, posting 22 goals and eight assists over 68 games. But he is only a few seasons removed from a 52-goal season, and the Ducks are hopeful that he can get back to that type of production. It has been rumored that Anaheim would be taking on his entire $6.5 million salary. Due to this, the price tag to land him was likely lower for the Ducks. New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) attempts a shot against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Madison Square Schneidler-Imagn Images The terms of the deal aren't fully known, but Kreider will be on his way to Anaheim for next season. Anaheim will be looking to get back to the postseason next year, and with Kreider in the mix, they may have a better chance now. Advertisement Related: Maple Leafs Surprisingly 'Not Interested' in Signing All-Star: Report Related: Mammoth Could Make Run at Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
39 minutes ago
- New York Post
Taylor Swift's Stanley Cup appearance infuriates hockey fans — as Swifties love it
Taylor Swift fans and haters were in their feelings over her appearance at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final with boyfriend Travis Kelce in Florida on Thursday night. Swifties gushed over the 14-time Grammy winner and the Chiefs All-Pro tight end, who took in the action from a private suite at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, where the Oilers beat the Panthers in overtime, 5-4, to even the best-of-seven series. However, some weren't thrilled that TNT cameras kept showing Swift, who actually has a song called, 'Florida!!!' 3 Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift react as the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers play during the first period in Game 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. Getty Images 'Allow me to say it again: if you are mad that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are shown, that's a you problem,' a Swift fan said on X. 'Because I don't see any slander of any other celebrity when they're look at the two; they're so happy to be together and that makes me happy.' The X account for the Stanley Cup reposted a video of the couple walking to a suite with the caption, 'I wanna be your endgame,' referring to Swift's song lyrics. 'TNT understands the assignment — after every goal, you show Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. That's how it's done. Every time,' another said. Others didn't bring that energy to the conversation. 'Enough with Taylor Swift…' someone wrote Thursday night. 'They're going to keep showing her, I'm out,' one person wrote on X. Another said she was 'ruining football and hockey.' Meanwhile, Swift looked bothered as she sipped her beverage in the suite. 3 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce take in the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. AP The couple displayed occasional PDA throughout the game. Swift and Kelce were all smiles while the three-time Super Bowl champ wrapped his arms around the 'Fortnight' singer, as seen in photos on social media. At one point, the couple talked with NHL legend Wayne Gretzky. 3 Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift and Wayne Gretzky sit together during the second period as the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers play in Game 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025. Getty Images Swift was locked into Game 4 as TNT cameras showed her holding her chest in excitement when the the Panthers tied the game at 4 to force overtime. 'My heart,' Swift appeared to to tell Kelce, who was pumping his fist. Kelce has spent a lot of time training in Florida this offseason and Swift reportedly joined him. He moved into a $20 million mansion located in the exclusive Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in April, according to the Daily Mail. The couple was spotted holding hands while leaving a restaurant in Florida earlier this month. The NFL superstar is enjoying some time off before Chiefs training camp begins July 15.
