NHL Announces 2018 Winter Classic Match-Up
The NHL has announced the two teams competing in the 10th Annual Winter Classic on New Year’s Day 2018. The league will return to the roots of the event, pitting the original host of the first Winter Classic in 2008, the Buffalo Sabres, against their in-state rival, the New York Rangers. It is the first Winter Classic to be held in New York City, and the Rangers will host the event at Citi Field in Queens, home of the New York Mets.
Ironically, the area of New York where the Mets play has been the rumored location of a possible new arena for the New York Islanders, the one New York team left out of the proceedings. Nonetheless, this will be a great event on January 1st, as hockey fans throughout the state and the Big Apple will flock to see the rivalry match-up between two exciting teams. The Sabres are a team in flux, but Jack Eichel and his teammates will have something to prove. Meanwhile, the Rangers want to defend their status as the best team in New York and will bring the King, Henrik Lundqvist, and a deep, talented line up to try to get the job done. Interestingly, due to an odd agreement regarding the tax status of Madison Square Garden, the Rangers will likely be the visitors and the Sabres the home team in the contest. The Rangers were the road team in each of their two outdoor games at Yankee Stadium in 2014.
Unfortunately, the timing of the announcement is not great, as the Rangers are in the middle of a do-or-die Game Six match-up with the Ottawa Senators and, at the time of this writing, are down 2-0. At least they will have something to look forward to to help get over the (potentially) disappointing loss.
Latest On Buffalo Sabres’ GM, Head Coach Searches
On a quiet night for hockey news other than the two Eastern Conference playoff games, Nick Kypreos and Elliotte Friedman used the second period break of the Penguins-Capitals contest to update the hockey world on the ongoing business of another Eastern Conference team. While Pittsburgh fans are hardly thinking of front office issues as their team appears to be on the fast track to second consecutive Stanley Cup appearance, the news certainly affects the Penguins as well. Kypreos revealed that, as has been expected, the Buffalo Sabres are likely to announce that Pittsburgh executive Jason Botterill will be their next General Manager. Friedman then chimed in that, with Botterill likely at the helm, Penguins assistant coach Rick Tocchet is a strong candidate for the open head coaching gig. Kypreos suspects that they could be waiting until after the end of the Penguins’ current series to announce at least Botterill, if not both if discussions have already been had about Botterill’s coaching choice.
The Botterill story has been told: a younger executive working for one of the most successful franchises in the game and eager for a new challenge and his turn in the spotlight. Botterill is also an expert on hockey analytics and salary cap analysis – a GM for the new age of hockey. Botterill has had two interviews with the Pegulas and other decision-makers in Buffalo and it seems that the job is all but his.
The Tocchet note though is new. Tocchet enjoyed an 18-year NHL career before becoming a coach, playing for six different teams, being selected to four All-Star Games, and winning the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 1992. Tocchet was well-traveled and also well-rounded, capable of fitting into nearly any system he was part of. That versatility and two-way hockey intelligence translated well into coaching, as he has a broad understanding of the game. Tocchet was named an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche, a team he had never played for, less than a year after officially announcing his retirement from playing in 2002. He then moved to Phoenix to be an assistant under Wayne Gretzky, before moving to Tampa Bay in 2008 as an assistant for Barry Melrose. Tocchet replaced Melrose that same season and was the head coach of the Lightning for next two years, but was fired in 2010 with a 53-69-26 record. Tocchet was given a second chance by his former team in 2014 when he was brought on as an assistant coach for the Penguins by Mike Johnston. Tocchet outlived his head coach and the work he has continued to do for the Penguins has been praised by replacement Mike Sullivan and, of course, owner and former teammate Mario Lemieux. With Botterill probably getting a fresh start and his first GM gig, it doesn’t seem unlikely at all that the first coach he hires is someone experienced who he is also familiar with and Tocchet fits the bill.
Mike Futa Unlikely To Take Buffalo Sabres GM Job
According to Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider, Mike Futa was in the running for the Buffalo Sabres GM job, but will be “no longer under heavy consideration”. Futa always seemed like a long-shot because of the recent promotion he’d received from the Kings to the position of assistant general manager. Rosen reports that he’s “excited” to continue with the Kings.
So, with one more out of the way for Buffalo the search narrows even further. Jason Botterill, Penguins’ associate general manager still appears to be the favorite, though the team is obviously weighing its options very carefully. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported this morning that the team had asked at least one candidate if they were comfortable being hired before a President of Hockey Operations was brought in, making it sound like they’ll take even more time to make that decision, should they go that direction.
Futa would have been an excellent choice, though he hasn’t been in charge of a team since his days with the Oshawa Generals. Botterill comes with almost as little time in the GM chair, only serving on an interim basis between Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford in Pittsburgh. Should the Sabres go with an assistant GM, it would be interesting to see if they bring in a more experienced manager in a senior role.
Cal Petersen Still Undecided About 2017-18
The Buffalo Sabres are hoping that a chance to experience the World Championships with Team USA will help Cal Petersen make the decision to forego his senior year at Notre Dame and turn pro this summer. John Vogl of the Buffalo News reports that recently fired GM Tim Murray had offered Petersen the starting job for the AHL Rochester Americans next season should he sign, though it’s unclear where that promise would stand with whoever is eventually hired.
Petersen though may be looking at the experience in Germany and France (where the tournament is being held) as a stepping stone to a potential Olympic berth next season. When the NHL decided that it wouldn’t be heading the the Olympics, the idea of possibly suiting up for his country did cross Petersen’s mind. In an interview with Ryan O’Leary for the IIHF website, Petersen admits as much.
Any chance I get to wear the red, white and blue is great, and I want to take full advantage of it. I’ve definitely thought about [playing in the Olympics] especially after the NHL said it wasn’t going. I’m sure this will help and if it leads to the other things like the Olympics, that’d be great.
Last year at Notre Dame, Petersen posted a 23-12-5 record and .926 save percentage, his third straight excellent season for the club. Selected in the fifth round of the 2013 draft, he’s become one of the better goaltending prospects in the country and would definitely be on the short list for the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. His inclusion at these World Championships ahead of many other qualified goaltenders only strengthens that possibility.
For the Sabres, a team that isn’t yet committed to Robin Lehner long-term adding Petersen to the system would be a huge boost. Lehner will be looking for a deal this offseason as he heads into restricted free agency, but the presence of Petersen as a possible future option would give the Sabres some leverage in talks. When top prospects head back to school for their senior year, it always presents more of a challenge to sign them after the year ends. With just a few more months to wait until free agency, a player like Petersen could—though he has never indicated a desire to—open up the market to at least a dozen teams that would be after him.
Morning Notes: Crosby, Ovechkin, Sabres Search
After skating on his own yesterday, Sidney Crosby was back at Penguins’ practice today in a regular jersey and looks poised to return to the lineup tomorrow night in Washington. If he does, it would be just five days since suffering a concussion due to Matt Niskanen‘s cross-check on Monday night. The idea of returning so quickly may be familiar to Penguins fans that remember Crosby’s first concussion. After being hit by David Steckel in the 2010-11 Winter Classic, Crosby would return just a few days later to face the Tampa Bay Lightning. After another (much less violent) hit from Victor Hedman, he’d lose the rest of the season and part of the next year.
While obviously if he’s returning it means that the Pittsburgh medical staff has signed off, returning so soon is still a risk for the Penguins’ captain. His history with head injuries is getting longer and longer, and there have been many instances around the league of players coming back too soon, only to have symptoms return. Here’s hoping that Crosby is 100% ready, and not being rushed back in order to give the Penguins a better chance for the Stanley Cup.
- The Washington Capitals will try Alex Ovechkin on the third line tomorrow, moving him down in an attempt to spread out their offense. Washington has only been able to score more than two goals once in the series, and even had trouble scoring in their first-round matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite out-shooting their opponent consistently, the Capitals just can’t seem to find the back of the net. Putting Ovechkin with Lars Eller and Tom Wilson may seem like a desperation move, but perhaps it will spark something in the team as they fight for their playoff lives.
- The Buffalo Sabres GM search continues, and according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet (via a Chris Nichols transcription on FanRag) they have asked at least one candidate if they would be comfortable with the team installing a President of Hockey Operations after taking the job. As discussed this week, many around the league believe Buffalo should follow the design of teams like the Calgary Flames, who have an experienced GM sitting behind a less-experienced man holding the position. While Buffalo tried this with Pat LaFontaine at one point, disagreements led to the dissolving of the President position and Tim Murray retaining whole control.
Jason Botterill Emerging As Front Runner For Sabres Job
After scoring a second interview with the Buffalo Sabres, the Buffalo News’ John Vogl believes that Jason Botterill is the favorite to replace Tim Murray as general manager. Vogl reports that the Buffalo News has yet to hear if another candidate has received a second interview. As far as this writing, only Botterill has visited with the Sabres twice. From Vogl:
Buffalo has held a second interview with Botterill for its GM job, according to multiple reports Wednesday. It’s not known how many of the seven candidates are getting second looks, but The Buffalo News has learned that one has not been contacted for another talk.
That would point to Botterill as a favorite.
Vogl goes on to list several reasons why the former Buffalo forward–and Michigan graduate–could end up getting the top job. First, with a background in hockey and a degree in economics, he’s become an “expert” in salary cap analysis. Working as an assistant general manager with defending champion Pittsburgh for over a decade, he has seen first hand how to juggle high salaries while filling in the lineup with talent at a cheaper price. In addition to being the GM of the AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, a team that has seen rousing success, Botterill has also helped the NHL front office with everything from scouting to player development. With a resume boasting so many rich assets, especially for a team that has seen considerable success for a decade, it’s obvious why Boterrill would be considered a “slam dunk” for the job.
The Sabres desperately need that success after being out of the playoffs for the past six seasons, despite drafting a dominant player in Jack Eichel back in 2015. The firings of Tim Murray and Dan Bylsma led many to conclude that it was Eichel’s doing, though that story was dismissed later by Eichel. But it still makes the next coach hire tricky.
Should it be Botterill, he’s already had considerable success hiring coaches, as it was his decision to bring Mike Sullivan aboard for Wilkes-Barre. Sullivan was promoted last season to the big club, and eventually led the Pens to a Stanley Cup.
If the past is any indication of future success, Buffalo may be in for a home run hire should it be Botterill.
Snapshots: Nightingale, Bass, Schmaltz
The Detroit Red Wings have hired Adam Nightingale as their new assistant video coach, the same role that he held this season with the Buffalo Sabres. Nightingale is currently working with Jeff Blashill at the World Championships for Team USA, likely getting some familiarity before the beginning of next season.
Nightingale joins Blashill as another Michigan native to work in the coaching staff, and previously spent time coaching and playing at Michigan State. The team release doesn’t mention Dave Noel-Bernier who held the video coach position last season for the Red Wings, but he has returned to the University of Nebraska-Omaha as an assistant coach.
- The Nashville Predators have recalled Cody Bass from the Milwaukee Admirals in an interesting move, seeing as he underwent surgery in January that was expected to keep him out the rest of the season. Perhaps Bass has recovered enough for a chance to get into the lineup to add some toughness at some point, but it’s much more likely he’ll just practice with the team and continue to work towards a role next season. The 30-year old is a journeyman enforcer that has more penalty minutes (107) than NHL games (75) in his career and has scored just five points.
- The St. Louis Blues have made a move of their own, sending Jordan Schmaltz back to the Chicago Wolves for their series opener against the Grand Rapids Griffins tonight. Schmaltz is obviously the Blues preferred insurance policy on defense, but want him to stay sharp and help the Wolves in their Calder Cup run. He’s been bounced up and down between AHL game days to serve as the team’s seventh defenseman in morning skates.
Jason Botterill Meets Again With Buffalo Brass
After having an interview for the Buffalo Sabres’ GM job last week, Pittsburgh associate GM Jason Botterill has had a second meeting with the club according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. That doesn’t make anything clear to him on where the process stands, which is still yet to be decided.
Botterill is an interesting option for the Sabres, as though he doesn’t have the decades of experience some of the other available names posses, he was the interim GM of the Penguins for a time between Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford. He’s also been a big part of the Penguins front office for years, and assumes some of the day to day operations with Rutherford still.
Yesterday, Brian Burke was on Sportsnet radio in Toronto and was asked by John Shannon generally if he believes teams should install systems similar to the one operating in Calgary. That is, to have a President of Hockey Operations—or whatever title given—who is a former GM who can take some of the pressure off the rest of the front office. His point, was that with that situation you can hire a “green” GM who will learn on the job, backed up by someone who has the experience.
For his part, Sabres owner Terry Pegula made clear his feelings on whether the lack of that position was a problem in Tim Murray’s tenure. From his presser:
Q: Do you regret going back to the same model of a general manager without a hockey person above him to answer to when [Pat] LaFontaine was pushed out?
TP: No.
On that note though he did admit that the decisions about organizational structure will be broadly determined with the first hire and where that person stands in their career and philosophies. If Botterill—or any other AGM—is brought in first, it does seem unlikely that they would then install a more experienced manager above him.
Lightning Allow Assistant GM Pat Verbeek To Speak To Other Teams
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Tampa Bay Lightning have given Assistant GM Pat Verbeek permission to talk with other clubs. Verbeek has been the Lightning’s AGM for six years now but faces little prospects of internal promotion working under the much-revered Steve Yzerman.
Verbeek was hired by Tampa Bay after scouting for the Detroit Red Wings under Ken Holland. He’s worked under Yzerman and will be a hot commodity for those teams looking to loot from the Yzerman management tree.
If Verbeek were to accept a full GM role, his only option would the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres cleaned house last week, firing both GM Tim Murray and Coach Dan Bylsma after a disappointing 2016-17 campaign. He will have some competition, however, as the Calgary Sun’s Eric Francis reports that Calgary Flames Assistant GM Craig Conroy interviewed for the vacant Buffalo GM position as well. Conroy’s interview is in addition to the six candidates already reported to be interviewing for the position.
It is also possible that he takes another assistant role, but with more chances for upward mobility. The Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes, and Winnipeg Jets could present future GM opportunities for Verbeek in the upcoming season.
Snapshots: Sabres, Madden, Stephens
The Buffalo Sabres interview list is up to six names now, after an Associated Press report from John Wawrow. Jason Botterill (PIT), Bill Guerin (PIT), Bill Zito (CBJ), Paul Fenton (NSH), Tom Fitzgerald (NJD), and Mike Futa (LAK) have all sat down with the Sabres leadership though a decision still hasn’t been made.
While Terry Pegula deals with his latest front office firing—this time of Doug Whaley of the Buffalo Bills—he says the Buffalo brain trust is close to making a final decision for the Sabres. One would expect the Sabres to put someone in place before the final decisions are made on the expansion draft protection lists, though they’ve already announced that Jeff Crisp will handle the entry draft. It is interesting to note that despite the expected interest, Julien BriseBois (Tampa Bay) and Norm Maciver (Chicago) don’t appear to have interviewed yet for the position.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch confirms the report about Zito, and adds that AHL coach John Madden is a candidate to join Gerard Gallant behind the bench in Vegas next season. Madden was an assistant coach with Gallant in Florida for two seasons, before taking the job left vacant with the Cleveland Monsters by Jared Bednar when he left for Colorado. Gallant recently said that he’d have his assistants chosen and hired within the next month or so.
- The Washington Capitals have recalled Chandler Stephenson once again after allowing him to play the weekend back-to-back for the Hershey Bears. The AHL team ended up needing both games to eliminate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and move on to their next matchup with the Providence Bruins, even getting a Stephenson assist on the opening goal Sunday. He’ll serve as insurance for the Capitals this week, as Hershey doesn’t open the next series until Saturday evening.