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The risky career choice that turned Dan Muse into the Penguins' reset button
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Dan Muse has Pittsburgh Penguins fans believing again, and it feels personal.
The story starts far from an NHL bench, with Muse nearly choosing law school over the rink.
He didn't. He chased hockey anyway, even when it looked like the "smart" choice was elsewhere.
That's the vibe of this Penguins season, too, a team refusing to fade quietly.
Muse was hired on June 4, 2025, and he hasn't coached scared since.
Here's the post that kicked this conversation back up:
"Dan Muse's passion for hockey began in a strange place. It led him to some strange decisions - like spurning law school - but he followed it all the way to the NHL.
And now, he's leading a remarkable Pittsburgh turnaround."
- King Jemison
And now, he's leading a remarkable Pittsburgh turnaround."
- King Jemison
On Sunday, Pittsburgh beat Vancouver 3-2 and stretched its streak to four straight wins.
The Penguins are 26-14-11, and they've grabbed points in seven straight games.
Dan Muse has the Pittsburgh Penguins skating with purpose
Pens fans have been waiting for a run like this, and you can feel the relief turning into swagger.
Muse keeps talking about buy-in, but it shows up in the details, tighter gaps, quicker reloads, cleaner exits.
The big names still drive the bus, and Sidney Crosby's 27-30-57 line tells you the engine is humming.
The fun twist is the kids are helping, not just surviving.
Ben Kindel is 18, drafted in 2025, Round 1, by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he just popped two goals in his hometown.
Muse trusting Kindel in real minutes says everything about the new tone, earn it, then own it.
The turnaround isn't magic. It's structure, pace, and a coach who picked the hard road years ago and never stopped.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 26|179 ANSWERS The risky career choice that turned Dan Muse into the Penguins' reset button Should Dan Muse be the Pittsburgh Penguins' long-term answer behind the bench? | ||
| Yes | 160 | 89.4 % |
| No | 19 | 10.6 % |
| List of polls | ||