Following a third straight playoff miss, the Pittsburgh Penguins found themselves looking for a coaching change. On April 28th 2025, the Penguins and long-time head coach Mike Sullivan mutually agreed to part ways.

Captain Sidney Crosby, entering his 21st NHL season, desires winning the Stanley Cup a fourth time. Center Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang, each set for his 20th season, do too. Muse, hired June 4 as Penguins coach, gets that. But rushing won't work, he said.

The Pittsburgh Penguins organization understands it is in transition. There were more popular or well-known choices available to general manager Kyle Dubas as he chose the next Penguins head coach. Yet following nearly 10 years of commanding Mike Sullivan,