New GM Jason Botterill off and running with Buffalo Sabres
New GM Jason Botterill off and running with Buffalo Sabres :- First-year Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill admits to being bemused that he is repeatedly lauded for the patience he exhibited in waiting for a chance to run his own show.
He spent 10 years as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ management team before Buffalo owners Terry and Kim Pegula hired him last summer.
“The people I was under, like (Minnesota Wild GM) Chuck Fletcher, was 14 years as an assistant general manager before he became a GM and (New Jersey Devils GM) Ray (Shero) was (14) years,” Botterill told USA TODAY Sports. “I just assumed it took time to get that position. I was fortunate to get named an assistant GM at such a young age that I wasn’t in a rush.”
The influence of Fletcher, Shero and finally Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford are evident in Botterill’s style. He is buttoned up professionally, never at risk to say the wrong words at the wrong time. He is deliberate and calculating in his planning and aggressive in his effort to make major moves when needed.
“Maybe he took some things from us, but from my standpoint I took a lot from Jason,” New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero said.
Botterill, 41, was hired on May 11, and within 50 days, had hired hot coaching prospect Phil Housley and improved his defensive corps’ mobility by trading for Marco Scandella and Nathan Beaulieu.
The early reviews on Botterill are that he moves the ball forward consistently and effectively.
One reason why Botterill hired Housley is that the Hockey Hall of Famer, one of the most dynamic puck-moving defenseman in NHL history, wanted to immediately push the pace in Buffalo.
“Our players are excited about the pace of play and the aggressiveness of our system,” Botterill said.
The local fan base has to be encouraged by Botterill’s relationship with his young star Jack Eichel. Although the Sabres haven’t signed him to an extension yet, it seems as if Botterill already has a strong connection with Eichel.
“It’s great to have someone there who is so well put together and so professional,” Eichel told USA TODAY Sports recently. “Everyone around the organization thinks so highly of him already. He was known as a behind-the-scenes guy in Pittsburgh who had a big impact on their Stanley Cups.”
Eichel said he enjoys Botterill’s personality. “He can talk to you about things other than hockey,” Eichel said. “You don’t mind running into him in the hallway.”
No one in Buffalo is panicked that no contract is done with Eichel. His current deal doesn’t expire until next July, and Eichel, 20, said he would be fine if negotiations stretched into the season.
“I’m not in any rush, not losing any sleep over it,” Eichel said.
Botterill said what he likes about Eichel is “he’s driven.”
“He’s very engaged with coaches about what he needs to do to have success out there,” Botterill said.
Botterill said Eichel’s poised approach to his contract speaks to his maturity at a young age. “He has handled everything so professionally.”
Source :- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/sabres/2017/09/25/jason-botterill-buffalo-sabres-jack-eichel/702538001/
