The Buffalo Sabres are close to naming Pittsburgh Penguins assistant general manager Jason Botterill as the team’s next general manager.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported on the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada that an announcement could come as soon as the Penguins’ series against the Washington Capitals is complete.
“(Sabres owner) Terry Pegula is a long-time admirer of the blueprint that has come out of Pittsburgh,” Kypreos said. “Of course Botteril has been a big part of that.”
Botterill played parts of six seasons in the NHL including two with the Sabres organization from 2002 to 2004. He joined the Penguins in 2007 and was promoted to assistant general manager in 2009, the same year the Penguins won their first of two Stanley Cups with Sidney Crosby.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added that Botterill might not be the only Penguin moving to Buffalo. He reported that Penguins assistant coach Rick Tocchet would be very high on a list of potential head coaches that Botterill could hire.
“The other concern in Buffalo is that they find a coach who can manage Jack Eichel,” added Kypreos. “Tocchet has got a great relationship with Sidney Crosby and many believe that he has helped Sid’s leadership go to another level.
“Certainly Tocchet could be one guy that could help a Jack Eichel.”
Tocchet has been an assistant coach in the NHL since 2002. He spent time behind the bench with the Colorado Avalanche and Phoenix Coyotes before joining the Tampa Bay Lightning, first as an assistant and then as head coach for two seasons. He has been with the Penguins since 2014.
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