Report: Tony Granato accepts coaching job with Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings haven't wasted anytime finding a replacement for Tom Renney, who is reportedly set to be introduced as the president of Hockey Canada in Calgary this week. According to a report from TSN's Darren Dreger, former Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Tony Granato has accepted a job with Mike Babcock's coaching staff next season.

Granato has served as an assistant coach in Pittsburgh for the past five seasons and has previous head coaching experience with the Colorado Avalanche. Over parts of three seasons as an NHL bench boss in Denver, Granato amassed a 104-78-17-16 record. 

In Pittsburgh, Granato worked with the forwards and ran a penalty-kill unit that consistently managed an elite kill rate. According to Babcock, Granato was originally hired to run the defense and penalty-kill, though his responsibilities may change as a result of the Renney hire. 

"It's a great fit," continued Babcock on the club's decision to hire Granato per Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. "He's a good player guy, will help me be a better coach."

While Granato has accepted the job, his contract status remains up in the air: