Change on the Blue Line? Dan Muse Hints at Penguins' Defensive Shift
Photo credit: NHL.com
New Penguins head coach Dan Muse revealed he won't be afraid to shift defensive pairings even if it means players playing on the side they are not used to.
The 2025-26 season is a new chapter for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they say goodbye to long-time head coach Mike Sullivan and welcome first-time NHL head coach Dan Muse.
For the first time in a decade, there will be a new voice barking orders from behind the bench.
Sullivan's lineup construction system was deliberate and systematic; almost always did he have an even number of right and left-handed defensemen dressed.
The balance helped to stabilize the blue line, but also restricted flexibility when some of those players were struggling.
Muse is going in the opposite direction. His philosophy: if a defenseman is more comfortable on one side or another, he'll play there, independent of handedness.
"It can be harder than it looks," Muse said. "Some players, they make it look easy. They feel just as comfortable."
"I just want six really good defensemen," Muse said. "It's whatever the best fit is. I've seen there's instances of guys that can also be very impactful playing their off-side."
"I just want six really good defensemen," Muse said. "It's whatever the best fit is. I've seen there's instances of guys that can also be very impactful playing their off-side."
It simplifies lineup juggling and gets the top six defensemen in the lineup, not necessarily an even number of lefts and rights.
Some of the Younger Defencemen May Be Able to Crack the Lineup on the Left Side of the Blue Line
The Penguins are deep-side right with Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, and Matt Dumba. But Muse said play in camp will outweigh depth chart designations. That leaves the door open to young players like Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke.
Brunicke, 19, has already made an impression at camp with his defensive awareness and composure. A natural right-hand shot, the transition to the left side could be an indicator of when he reaches the NHL, rather than if.
Pickering, on the other hand, has improved incrementally as a legitimate roster hopeful.
Since Muse favors best fits over strict pairings, the Penguins are making room for young defensemen to find roles. For a club that has leaned on its old core for so long, the change might be the start of a long-awaited changing of the generational guard.
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