A Balanced Attack (With a Twist)

The Penguins’ recent hiring of assistant coach Tony Granato did more than simply solidify a coaching staff, it reinforced an organizational philosophy–one that has contributed to the team’s many recent successes almost as much as on-ice production.

Not on the surface, of course. On the surface, even the signing of Mike Rupp was sexier. But that which finds comfort on the surface carries little merit.

When GM Ray Shero took over managerial duties he promised to build the Penguins into an annual contender. The short-term high would not come at the expense of long-term prosperity, he preached.

It wasn’t his fault, however, that the beginning of long-term prosperity arrived as quickly as it did. Hence, the trade that brought in Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis at the 2008 trade deadline for top prospect Angelo Esposito, a future 1st-round pick and two young NHL-established players, Erik Christenssen and Colby Armstrong.

Despite just one year of “rebuilding” and transforming a struggling franchise, Shero’s Penguins–with their core and star-power solidified–were ready to embark on a journey toward excellence.

Is this the part where you talk about Granato and the organizational philosophy?

Yes.

You see, if one examines the current makeup of the Penguins–whether we’re talking the roster, the coaching staff or the front office–he/she will find an undeniable and ever-so-clear commanlity–balance.

• Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury provide the Penguins a balanced attack down the middle.
• Sergei Gonchar, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski–in contrast to Brooks Orpik, Mark Eaton and Jay McKee–provide the Penguins a balanced attack on the blueline.
• Bill Guerin, Chris Kunitz, Ruslan Fedotenko and Craig Adams provide the Penguins a balanced attack, in terms of championship experience, and by way of imperative, yet completely different styles of play at the wing position.
• GM Ray Shero–relatively young for someone at that position–consults an experienced staff, i.e. Eddie Johnston.
• Mario Lemieux has Ron Burkle to help alleviate ownership issues.

The commonality, again, is balance. You can even find it among fans, as the Penguins attract the older demographic, while adhering accordingly to the recent younger surge of interest.

When last season’s assistant coach Tom Fitzgerald stepped down in the off-season to take on the responsibilities as assitant to the general manager, there was an unnoticed hole in the Penguins organization.

Ever drive a car over a pot-hole you didn’t see? It’s much worse when you can’t see it, right?

Well, management saw the Penguins’ hole and filled it with Granato. Head coach Dan Bylsma took over last season as the youngest coach in the league; and with no head coaching experience at the NHL level, led the Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory.

He had Mike Yeo, Gilles Meloche and Fitzgerald to feed off from. He’ll have Granato this time around.

An all-the-way-through organizational philosophy dependent on balance brought the Penguins from temporary obscurity , potentially, to permanent prominence.

It started with a lucky bounce of a ping-pong ball.

It may end with a great deal of silver.

But know that in between was the important signing of Granato.

Okay, I’m just kidding–he’s just an assistant coach.