The Buffalo Sabres search for a general manager is over. Jason Botterill, who served as the Pittsburgh Penguins associate GM, will be taking over the position.
It was reported that Bill Zito, assistant GM of the Blue Jackets, had interviewed for the job. While it remains unclear how far he got into the process, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Zito was brought in for an interview. A former successful sports agent, Zito knows the ins and outs of the business. He also served as the GM of the Cleveland Monsters, and in his first season managing the Jackets' top farm club, they won a Calder Cup championship.
After firing Tim Murray as GM, the Sabres were in pursuit of a person that could fill the role properly. The expansion and entry draft are just over a month away, but having a team in place (or at least a leader in place) should relieve any prior anxieties.
Botterill has been described as a key cog in the Penguins' machine, even being described as the architect of their championship teams.
It's a lot to live up to and in a hockey-crazed town like Buffalo, the job doesn't get any easier. His next order of business will be finding a coach that is capable of coaching the current team.
The core is in place and Sabres fans are hoping that Botterill's vision takes them to the next level.
