Gruden, Michael Dyck, and Mark Giordano established the winning culture in Toronto. Their leadership, which allowed the veterans to run the room, allowed the prospects to take steps forward. During the celebration, Gruden looked like a coach who climbed a mountain, a veteran who finally got over the hump. Giordano, the 42-year-old assistant, looked like a coach who was ready to climb another level, a defenseman in his playing days who has to hold back that itch to play but has the energy and knowledge to coach.Â
