Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Kraken Hire Jason Botterill as AGM

January 5, 2021, 2:16 PM ET [21 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Seattle Kraken Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Holy mackerel! We have real Kraken news to discuss!

Jack Eichel probably won't be coming to the Kraken any time soon.

Today it was announced that Ron Francis had hired Jason Botterill as Assistant General Manager for the Seattle Kraken.

Yes, former Jason Botterill, GM of the Buffalo Sabres

Yes the Jason Botterill that traded Ryan O'Reilly, Conn Smythe winner for Berglund, Sobotka, and Tage Thompson.

Yes the Jason Botterill that signed Jeff Skinner to an 8 year 72 million dollar deal

The very same Jason Botterill that wasn't able to extend Evander Kane who has gone on to have great success with the Sharks.

The Botterill that helped lead the Sabres to the longest playoff drought in NHL history

That Jason Botterill.

---

Honestly I don't know what to think here. Botterill's tenure in Buffalo was among the worst the league has witnessed over the past decade and this is coming from a guy who had to watch Peter Chiarelli systematically dismantle his other team.

The good news is Ron Francis at the end of the day is the guy making the big decisions and Botterill as an assistant general manager was part of a highly successful Pittsburgh Penguins team. While he was part of the Penguins, the team won multiple Cups and drafted fairly well, with the likes of Guenztel, Matt Murray, Josh Archibald, Dominik Simon, and Tristan Jarry all selected after the first round and gone on to be successful NHL players.

Compare that to the Sabres drafting which was absolutely horrendous outside of the first round.

The positive spin for now is that Botterill adds veteran experience and relationships for the Seattle Kraken which will all be very handy as the team will begin to scout and speak with the other 31 teams in the league as they start to build their organization.

The next big decision for the team will likely be the announcement of a head coach. Gallant wasn't hired in Vegas until the end of the regular season, prior to the Expansion Draft. We will likely see a similar thing happen in Seattle as the yearly coach shuffle should open up some enticing opportunities for the 32nd NHL team.

Thanks for reading.
Join the Discussion: » 21 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Sean Maloughney
» Eberle Signing Looking Less Likely - Trade to Edmonton?
» Seattle Trades Wennberg To Rangers
» Wennberg Healthy Scratched For Trade Related Reasons
» Should The Kraken Trade or Keep Jordan Eberle?
» Should Seattle Be A Buyer?