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Darren Dreger of TSN has been pretty active today with Red Wing related news. About an hour ago, he broke and confirmed the following news regarding the now former Red Wing assistant coach Tom Renney:
Expect Tom Renney to be announced as Bob Nicholson's replacement as president of Hockey Canada as early as tomorrow. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 14, 2014Less than a half hour later, Dreger returned to inform us of Renney's replacement:
Tony Granato has accepted a coaching job with the Detroit Red Wings. Wings still looking for a second assistant. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 14, 2014Free Press beat writer Helene St. James added some quotes and insight from the coach himself:
On hiring Granato:
Mike Babcock on hiring of Tony Granato as ass't coach: "It's a great fit. He's a good player guy, will help me be a better coach." #RedWings
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) July 14, 2014Mike Babcock said Tony Granato orig. hired to run defense & PK. Might change now that Tom Renney gone. #RedWings
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) July 14, 2014In Granato, they get an experienced NHL assistant coach with some previous work as a head guy in Colorado. That being said, his greatest success was during his recent 5 year stint with the Penguins and Granato's work handling the Pens' penalty killing unit, which finished in the league's Top 5 in three of the past four seasons.
That being said, the Wings continue to search for a second assistant to add to the group. The departure of Renney opens up a 2nd spot as Granato was essentially hired to replace Bill Peters. One name that could re-surface is Windsor Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner. The 43 year-old Boughner has one year of NHL head coaching experience with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2010-11 regular season. After 10 months on the job, Boughner resigned citing the strain of attempting to be an NHL assistant coach while juggling business and family duties in Windsor.
At the time of his resignation, Boughner did not rule out a return to the NHL if the right opportunity arose. Coaching across the river in Detroit would appear to be that type of situation. Whether Babcock feels Boughner is the appropriate fit might be a different story altogether.
Boughner did coach the forwards and handle the power-play responsibilities while in Columbus. The Blue Jackets struggled with the man advantage that season finishing 29th in the NHL.
Regardless, Boughner is a former NHL player with boatloads of playing experience, in conjunction with his ample success as a head coach at the junior level in the Ontario Hockey League, leading the Windsor Spitfires to multiple Memorial Cup victories in 2009 and 2010.
mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com
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