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Botterill On Tight Deadliine

May 11, 2017, 5:39 PM ET [15 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT

New GM in the building. Welcome back to Buffalo, Jason Botterill!

A post shared by Buffalo Sabres (@buffalosabres) on


Thanks, Bill Wippert



Who said you can't go home?


Jason Botterill had to leave Buffalo in order to invest his 10,000 hours in mastering the discipline of being an NHL general manger.

Twelve years after he left Buffalo and Rochester due to concussion issues that ended his professional playing career, Botterill departed in search of a business degree. His goal was to become an NHL GM.

Today, he earned his post graduate degree, so to speak.


“Why I did all these things was one day to give me the opportunity to be a general manager, and that’s why it’s difficult,” Botterill said. “I have great relationships, friendships in Pittsburgh. I’m cheering for them so I can hopefully get another ring.

“But, I am 100 percent ecstatic to be here, be part of this organization, be back in Buffalo. It’s emotional, but at the end of the day, it’s not a decision at all.”

Botterill told anecdotes about rooming with then sabres prospect Ryan Miller. He also loved his time playing with Sabres stars-to-be Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, and Paul Gaustad. Botterill also spoke fondly of how he was blown away when 12,000 fans packed the Buffalo barn for a Rochester Amerks vs. Milwaukee Admirals playoff game during the NHL lockout of 2004-05.


“One of main reasons why I accepted this role and wanted to take this job is because I truly understand from my time here as a player in Western New York, both as a player in Rochester and Buffalo, how passionate and loyal the fans in this region are toward hockey", Botterill said with a smile.


"I know that they deserve success, and my job will be to try to bring them an organization that provides that to them. During my time in the organization here, I learned the importance of what the logo means to our fans. From my standpoint, my job will make sure that every player and every staff member understands the significance of wearing the Sabres logo and wearing the Rochester Americans logo."


Fueled by his passion for the Sabres and Amerks brands, and his under successful ten year stint in Pittsburgh , Botterill returns to Buffalo a more experienced hockey man. he ran the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins for eight seasons. He also looked after the Pittsburgh salary cap, advised Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford on scouting, drafting, trades and player development.

Botterill said at his Buffalo presser that he is looking to emulate the Pittsburgh-Wilkes Barre model in Buffalo-Rochester.


“I think one of the successes of the organization that I’m coming from is the relationship between Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh,” said Botterill. “We want to re-strengthen the relationship with Rochester and Buffalo.”


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“This is a league that thrives on centerman,” he said. “The fortunate thing here is we have a couple of amazing high-end center men".

Botterill benefited greatly by the presence of super center men Sid Crosby and Geno Mallon in Pittsburgh. Botterill is obviously thrilled to have to Of the best young puck possession pivots in the NHL already on his Buffalo roster in Jack Eichel and Ryan O'Reilly.


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Botterill noted that he loves that he is happy to have two minute munching, young D, who can zip the puck to the forwards in flight already in Buffalo in Rasmus Ristolainen and Jake McCabe.










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Botterill said he will interview many candidates for the Buffalo bench boss job. Then man that ultimately gets the job will have structure, will communicate well with all players and will be a presence in the room.


“Making sure the players understand the head coach is in control,” said Botterill, “and certainly leading the charge.”

That surely sounds like Rick Tocchet and Doug Houda to me.



Botterill was responsible for hiring Mike Sullivan to coach Wilkes-Barre after the veteran assistant was fired from Vancouver along with head coach John Tortarella. Botterill said that he admires Sullivan's passion for he game and his ability to speak to and teach young and veteran players.


Terry Pegula said two weeks ago that his next Sabres GM would possess discipline, structure, character and strong communication skills. Botterill no doubt checks all of the boxes. And more.

“We will be better,” Botterill said. “But at the same token, I have a lot of respect for this league, and there are some teams that didn’t make the playoffs this year that will be better next year.

“I came from an environment in Pittsburgh where, yes, we had success the past couple of years, but for numerous years, we didn’t achieve those results or we had injuries.

“To me, the goal of the organization needs to be year-in-year-out competing at a high level, and in one of those years you break through.”


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After his presser, Botterill was asked about whether the Sabres will be hiring an over arching president of their hockey operations.


Botterill said he hasn't heard from the Pegulas about hiring a president. He said that he likes the Pittsburgh Penguins model where the GM was surrounded by assiciate and assistant general managers.

Might Botterill be interested in speaking with former Sabres captain Michael Peca for such an assistant general manager position?







Botterill is on a tight timeline.

He said his first order of business is to speak with the Buffalo Sabres leadership group to get a better understanding of what worked this season and what needs to be changed. Botterill intends to speak with as many players as possible, however, he is aware that several Sabres players are overseas competing at the IIHF Worlds tourney. Botterill praised Jack Eichel and the Sabres players who chose to represent their countries after such a long, brutal season.

Botterill said he has an idea from afar what all went down between Dan Bylsma, Tim Murray and the Sabres that caused such a rift. Botterill vowed to get to the bottom of the issues by listening to and communicating openly with his players.


After he meets with his players, Botterill will meet next week with his scouting staff. He will have to hire new directors of pro and amateur scouting while he steps up his search for the next head coach of the Sabres.

Botterill will also be conducting pre-NHL Combine and pre-NHL Draft strategy sessions. Which player will Botterill expose to the Vegas expansion draft.



Will Evander Kane be on his way out of Buffalo? Will Botterill hold the 8th overall pick or will he trade it away?


Is Dan Lambert safe as head coach in Rochester? That remains to be seen. Botterill has never met Lambert but will sit down with him in the next two weeks to get to know one another. My gut is telling me that Botterill will be looking for a new head coach for the Amerks. Keep an eye on former Amerk legend Chris Taylor who presently is an assistant coach with Wilkes Barre Scranton. Taylor and Houda were Amerks teammates of Botterill's back in the day.

Jack Eichel and Samson Reinhart will be eligible to begin talking new contracts on July 1. Botterill will have to get himself up to speed on the Victor Antipin, and Cal Petersen situations.

Will restricted free agents Marcus Foligno and Zemgus Girgensons be getting long term contract extensions?

Will Matt Moulson be bought out? Traded?



Welcome aboard, Jason. Get to work.



Thanks, Sabres TV
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