The Buffalo Sabres are deep into a search for the next GM of their franchise, and Pierre LeBrun of TSN believes that Jason Botterill has already interviewed for the job. Botterill is currently the associate GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and has been with the team since 2007. While the New York Rangers denied access to Chris Drury, the Penguins would have had to allow Buffalo to contact Botterill for a chance at the job.
Sabres owner Terry Pegula made it clear in his earlier press conference that the team would be after someone with experience, and though Botterill has never had a full-time general manager job, he did serve as the interim GM for the Penguins between the Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford leadership, and has now worked under both of them. Botterill also previously worked for the NHL and Dallas Stars in a scouting capacity.
For the Sabres, interviewing top assistants seems to be the first path of evaluation as they apparently have not approached the Los Angeles Kings for permission to interview Dean Lombardi. The team has already interviewed Bill Guerin (another Pittsburgh AGM) while Botterill, Drury, Norm Maciver (Chicago), and Julien BriseBois (Tampa) all represent long-standing assistants that are expected to get a chance heading an NHL franchise eventually. Toronto whiz-kid Kyle Dubas, Calgary alum Craig Conroy and others have also been linked, though just through speculation.
When Rutherford decided to keep Botterill on as associate GM in 2014, he had this to say about him:
Jason is one of the top young executives in the NHL, and I’m pleased to promote him to the role of Associate General Manager. Jason knows our organization top to bottom, including all players, prospects and staff, and his detailed understanding of the CBA and salary cap make him a major asset to the Penguins. I look forward to working with him closely.
That kind of high praise is exactly why the Sabres are after him, but it will be interesting to see if he would leave the Penguins for the job. Rutherford turned 68 this year, and likely won’t be wanting to keep up the grind of an NHL GM for very much longer. If that’s true, Botterill—and likely Guerin—would likely be a candidate to take over one of the NHL’s most successful franchises.
As a Pens fan I would hate to see Botterill go but the Pens are on the downside of their star studded lineup. Between cap numbers, age and injuries this might be a good move for Botterill
I really hope they don’t let him go. Rutherford is going to retire soon, this season or next. Botterill is being groomed to replace him, id be really upset if he leaves.
Does anyone know if Rick Dudley has been interviewed yet for the Presidents or GM job in Buffalo? He would be perfect for the Presidents job while looking over all hockey operations.