Former Executive Jason Botterill Could be Perfect Penguins GM Candidate

The Pittsburgh Penguins are stuck in limbo when it comes to their new general manager search. With a move unlikely to happen until after the Stanley Cup Playoffs end, it leaves much more time for speculation and case-making.

One possible reason Fenway Sports Group is continuing to hold off is because their ideal candidate's team is still in the playoffs. With a plethora of qualified executives, there is one specific person who may have the inside track on the vacant position: Jason Botterill.

If that name sounds familiar, it's because it is. Botterill was a long-time employee of the Penguins, serving in positions as a Director of Hockey Administration as well as Associate General Manager under Jim Rutherford. In 2017, Botterill received his first big break, when the Buffalo Sabres hired him as general manager, hopeful that he would help remove the organization from obscurity. After a few seasons and no playoff appearances, he was fired in June of 2020. 

Botterill's tenure wasn't a total failure, however. Many players that contributed to the Sabres rebound year this season were brought in during Botterill's tenure. That includes drafting the elite defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, goaltender Ukka-Pekka Luokkonen, and Mattias Samuelsson, all players now contributing at the NHL level. Botterill also pulled off the trade of former Sabres captain Ryan O'Reilly, which resulted in the Sabres receiving current superstar goal scorer Tage Thompson. 

His unemployment didn't last long, however, as the newly-formed Seattle Kraken quickly snatched him up as one of their Assistant General Managers. Working under Ron Francis, Botterill has been a key contributor to their organization making the postseason in just their second season in the league. Their player evaluation skills are well above the rest of the league, and that is in large part due to Botterill's skill and expertise. 

Botterill may not be the flashiest name out there, but he has a serious chance of being the next general manager for Pittsburgh. He's earned the right to not only get a second chance to run a team, but to get the chance to do it with the organization that he got his start with. The roster's leaders are already familiar with him and have a trust in his judgment, which is exactly what you need from the next general manager. Botterill may be a familiar face, but he has the fresh take and direction to bring this team back to the postseason and Stanley Cup relevancy.