As Muse stepped onto a podium at PPG Paints Arena for the first time, took a seat next to president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and the two started to talk, it quickly became evident that this unexpected partnership was more about passion and people skills than it was putting in place the right neutral-zone forecheck.

Muse, a relative no-name with no connection to Pittsburgh who was hired last week to be the Penguins’ new head coach, had the opportunity to introduce himself to fans. He did very well.