Shocking report out of Pittsburgh as completely new candidate becomes Penguins’ coach!

The most recent reports out of Pittsburgh on the current search for a new head coach, hinting at three favourites to take over the Penguins’ bench: D.J. Smith, Mitch Love and Jay Woodcroft. All three had become top candidates to take over as new head coach after general manager Kyle Dubas made the decision to part ways with long time Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.

Smith most recently served as head coach of the Ottawa Senators while Woodcroft is the former head coach of the Edmonton Oilers and of the names on this list only Love has no NHL head coaching experience. Love currently serves as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals under head coach Spencer Carbery.

But then came the shocking breaking news report from insider Elliotte Friedman on Wednesday, stating that: “There is word today that momentum is growing for Dan Muse to become the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.”

Muse is currently an assistant coach for the New York Rangers, where Sullivan has been hired as new head coach. With no decision yet on his status with the Blue Shirt, Muse has become a top contender for the vacant spot in Pittsburgh, although he lacks NHL head coaching experience. He had experience developing prospects and coaching the USA NTDP U18 Team in 2023, a job he left when he joined Peter Laviolette in New York.

Moments after Friedman’s report, the Penguins confirmed the hiring of Muse. With him taking over the bench in Pittsburgh, we might have to acknowledge the rebuild of the Penguins…

What does it mean for captain Sidney Crosby then?