Buffalo Sabres: Jason Botterill set to be named as next GM

According to a report from Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, Jason Botterill will be announced as the Buffalo Sabres next general manager once the Capitals/Penguins series concludes.

We recently reported on comments made by John Wawrow of the Associated Press, in relation to the Buffalo Sabres‘ search for their next General Manager. Speaking during a segment on WBEN 930AM, Wawrow essentially said the Sabres would confirm who the new GM was, before the end of last week.

Well, that time has come and gone, and there has still been no official announcement. However, it apparently turns out this has nothing to do with the organization still contemplating their options.

To the contrary, as reported by WGR 550‘s Paul Hamilton, it appears Jason Botterill will take over the position recently vacated by Tim Murray. Hamilton referred to comments made by Sportsnet‘s Nick Kypreos on Hockey Night in Canada:

"“It’s a forgone conclusion out of Pittsburgh that Jason Botterill will be named the next general manager of the Buffalo Sabres,” said Kypreos. “Terry Pegula is a longtime admirer of the blueprint that has come out of Pittsburgh that’s led to two championships, and of course Botterill has a big part of that.”"

In that respect, it is Botterill’s current involvement with the Penguins’ organization, which is holding up the announcement. Whether it be at the request of the Penguins or the NHL, Kypreos added that the Sabres will wait until the conclusion of the current playoff series with the Capitals, before making anything official.

Assuming this is the case, the 40-year old is someone sports fans in Western New York are familiar with. The former winger concluded his playing career with the Sabres organization, before retiring in 2005.