CRANBERRY TWP. (93.7 The Fan) – When you ask Dan Muse about Dan Muse, he quickly deflects. What the Pens head coach did say about being named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award on Friday. Plus, his players with better insight into the job he did.
With no NHL head coaching experience, Muse took over a Pens team that hadn’t been in the playoffs in three years. An organization looking to blend four likely Hall of Fame players with some free agents and youth. And they finished second in the Metropolitan Division as one of the highest-scoring teams in the league.
“When you get recognition for something like that, it shows the group,” Muse said. “I think it’s a credit to the players, number one. They are the ones out on the ice playing the game. I don’t think any coach gets recognition when the team doesn’t play well on the ice. These guys did a great job throughout the course of the year continuing to take steps.”
He then credited the coaching staff as a whole for the work they do. He said there are so many people behind-the-scenes that help create an organizational environment. Muse said this is a credit to all of them.
We polled a number of the veteran players to give their reaction about their head coach.
Erik Karlsson
“Very well deserved, I think there are a couple around the league that have done an exceptional job, he’s one of them. The results throughout the 82-game season shows that, he had a big part of that and a big reason we all succeeded as individuals and as a team.”
Anthony Mantha
“He gave a lot of confidence to all of his players. It’s kinda a testament to why guys actually played the way they did here.”
Kris Letang
“The first thing that strikes me when you meet him is the passion that he has for the game. I’m kind of a guy that stays late at the rink. He stays later than me. It’s crazy the amount of work he puts in.”
“His communication with the players, I’ve never seen something like that. He really sits down with everybody and he asked for input and tells you what he sees. It’s been fun working with him.”
Sidney Crosby
“We were pretty prepared, definitely coming into camp I felt like everybody had a lot to prove. As a coach coming in he wanted to set the standard, the tone right away and I thought we were able to do that. We were organized and had an idea of how we wanted to play. He was just super-organized, communicated really well and I think guys responded well.”
Noel Acciari
“I think he did a really good job since day one getting to know the guys and having certain relationships with all the guys. Trying to get the best out of everyone. He made things fun at times and made it work. I thought as a team we came together well for him.”
Bryan Rust
“He and the entire staff did an amazing job. They work extremely hard, Dan especially, he is always at the rink. He also does an extremely good job of communicating with all of the players, on a daily basis. Not just about hockey stuff, but about personal stuff and really taking interest in everybody’s lives. I think that speaks volumes.”
They respect the coach’s work ethic & passion for game and them
They respect the coach’s work ethic & passion for game and them
