Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis has made to two key hires in the hockey operations department who will help identify the 30 players selected that day and draft picks made in the league's amateur draft July 23 and July 24.
The Kraken have hired former Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill has been hired as the first assistant general manager and Norm Maciver will be the director of player personnel.
Yes. THAT Jason Botterill, the former GM of the Buffalo Sabres who traded Ryan O'Reilly to the St. Louis Blues.
Botterill was fired under confusing circumstances by Buffalo Sabres owners Kim and Terry Pegula in mid-June 2020. The Pegulas initially agreed to retain Botterill for the 2021 season. However, they quickly severed ties and immediately hired first time NHL GM Kevyn Adams to replace Botterill.
Botterill worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins during a 10-year stretch in which the team won Stanley Cups in 2009, 2016 and 2017.
Maciver spent the last 14 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, who won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013 and 2015).
The Kraken now have assembled one of the most respected front office rosters in the entire National Hockey League. Francis, Botterill and Maciver are now tasked with identifying and selecting the Kraken’s inaugural season roster at the 2021 Expansion Draft scheduled on July 21.
"Everyone in hockey is extremely excited about what's happening in Seattle, and I am thrilled for this unique opportunity," said Botterill. "I'm looking forward to working with the diverse and talented group that Ron has assembled."
Botterill and Francis worked together in 2019 as part of three-manager group putting together Canada's team for that year's World Championships, along with former NHL GM and goaltender Ron Hextall.
"We clicked from Day 1, with our communication, who would handle different duties, everything," said Botterill. "People are drawn to the Seattle organization because of Ron's professionalism, how articulate he is and how much he cares. There will be no ego in developing this organization, just coming up with the best ideas on how to put our team together."
"Jason brings a great deal of experience and has worked with some of the best in the business," said Francis, referring to NHL GMs such as Jim Rutherford (also a Francis mentor), Cliff Fletcher and Ray Shero (who hired Botterill in Pittsburgh).
Maciver brings years of success to Seattle from Chicago where he worked in player development.
Thanks, Seattle Kraken