The reconstruction of the Buffalo Sabres front office continues.
On Day 2 of prospect development camp, GM Jason Botterill has hired Ryan Jankowski to serve as the club’s director of amateur scouting.
Congratulations to Jeff Crisp, who has been promoted to assistant director of amateur scouting. Crisp previously served as Botterill's head scout.
Jankowski joins the Sabres after spending the last four seasons in various roles with Hockey Canada. Hired by the organization in June 2013 as head scout, Jankowski was later promoted to director of player personnel. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing all player evaluation and selection for Canada’s national junior team, as well as the country’s under-18 and under-17 programs. In addition to his scouting duties at all levels, Jankowski’s time with Hockey Canada included managerial duties with Canada’s U-18 team.
Before his stint with Hockey Canada, Jankowski compiled 10 years of experience in NHL front offices, including three seasons as an amateur scout for the Montreal Canadiens (2010-11 to 2012-13) and four as assistant general manager during a seven-year stretch with the New York Islanders (2003-04 to 2009-10). With the Islanders, the Calgary, Alberta native was part of the staff responsible for the team’s drafts, including the selection of current Sabres forward Kyle Okposo in 2006.
Crisp will transition into his new role after spending the 2016-17 season as the Sabres’ head amateur scout. Prior to joining the Sabres, Crisp logged 17 seasons of experience in NHL scouting departments, including four seasons with the Calgary Flames and 13 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.
Thanks, Sabres PR
***
Last week, the Broadway Blueshirts bolstered their blue line by signing UFA Kevin Shattenkirk and re-signing veteran Brendan Smith to long-term contracts.
Larry Brooks writes in Sunday's NY Post that Rangers GM Jeff Gorton may be dangling veteran defenseman to Toronto in exchange for veteran center Tyler Bozak.
Bozak, 31, was bumped down the depth chart when the Leafs signed 38 year old UFA Patrick Marleau to a three-year contract.
The Leafs are currently $3.9 million over their $75 million salary cap after the Marleau signing.
Bozak is a $4.2M AAV this season. He scored 18 goals and 37 assists last season.
The Rangers traded center Derek Stepan to Arizona and now must replace him without breaking the bank.
The Rangers are thin down the middle with Mika Zibanejad, Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller and David Desharnais on the depth chart.
Holden becomes expendable due to the emergence of youngster Brady Skjei, who blossomed last season for the Rangers. Defenseman Anthony DeAngelo, 21, was a big piece of the Stephan trade with the Coyotes.
Holden scored 11 goals and 23 assists last season. He will earn $1.65 million this season and will be UFA on July 1, 2018.
The Leafs added 36 year old Ron Hainsey for needed depth, but they are looking for more D reinforcements.
**
I'm hearing that the Sabres will once again be hosting a four team prospects tournament in September. The four teams will be the Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins.
Providence Journal writer Mark Divver tweeted a similar note on Sunday.
Hearing same lineup: BUF, BOS, PIT, NJ https://t.co/hNFtYbtWwy
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) July 9, 2017
Seeing first overall pick Nico Hischier competing against Casey Mittelstadt and other top prospects in Buffalo in September is a very cool idea.
**
The Buffalo Sabres drafted center Rasmus Asplund in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
Former Sabres GM Tim Murray was gung-ho to have the young Swede turn pro and play in Rochester this season.
But, there has been a change of plans.
Murray was kicked to the curb. Botterill was hired to replace him.
Weeks ago, Asplund was interviewed by a Swedish newspaper in which the 19 year old was quoted as saying he is staying home due to "turbulence" in the Buffalo front office following the firing of Murray and hiring of Botterill. I used an online translator to decipher what Asplund was really saying. He meant no ill will towards the Sabres. He was merely staring the facts. In Swedish.
Asplund is in Buffalo for development camp for Sabres development camp. On Sunday, he set the record straight on his plans.
Asplund said he and Jason Botterill collaborated and decided it would be best for him to play another season in Sweden. Asplund says he agrees with the decision will use his time wisely. He wants to grow his offensive production. He also wants to play for Sweden at the 2018 Olympics.
Asplund learned a lot last season in Sweden. Wants to work on his offensive game, PP this season
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) July 9, 2017
Asplund is okay with playing this season in Sweden. He looks forward to developing to 39 points, playing for 🇸🇪 national team pic.twitter.com/rkJlOm6OQQ
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) July 9, 2017
**
Scroll through my Twitter timeline for my positive takes on Jason Botterill, Randy Sexton, Steve Greeley, Phil Housley's first two days of development camp in Buffalo.
I can feel a winning culture starting to solidify. The changes are subtle yet recognizable.
Botterill is leading his players, coaches, AGMs, trainers, medical staff from the front.
I'm very impressed with his managerial style and cannot wait to see where this new road leads us to.
**
When Ovi peels off his tarp and boogies down with the band on his wedding night!!
How do you say "savage" in Russian?