Former Pittsburgh Stanley Cup-Winning Manager Top Candidate for Oilers GM
The Edmonton Oilers are anticipated to appoint a general manager this year, and a prominent name in discussions is Jason Botterill. Botterill played a significant role in the Pittsburgh Penguins management team, contributing to their Stanley Cup victories in 2009, 2016, and 2017.
Botterill currently serves as the Assistant GM in Seattle under Ron Francis.
When asked by Bob Stauffer on “Oilers Now” about which teams Oilers hockey boss Jeff Jackson might have approached for permission to talk with a current staff member, NHL insider Frank Seravalli mentioned the Seattle Kraken, specifically regarding Botterill.
Seravalli noted that Francis might be promoted to the president’s role in Seattle, with Botterill potentially becoming the general manager. He added, “While this hasn’t been finalized, sources close to the Kraken organization wouldn’t be surprised if it happens. However, if considering external candidates and seeking permission, Jason Botterill is likely high on the Oilers’ list.”
My Perspective:
1. Seravalli, being a top NHL insider, lends considerable credibility to this rumor.
2. Initially, I was hesitant about Botterill due to his tenure as GM of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020. Buffalo missed the playoffs for 13 straight years and didn’t perform well during his time there. However, Botterill did draft well, acquiring players like Casey Mittelstadt and Rasmus Dahlin in the first round, and securing solid goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and useful defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.
3. Botterill managed Pittsburgh’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton AHL team from 2010 to 2017, developing NHL players such as Robert Bortuzzo, Mark Letestu, Brian Dumoulin, Bryan Rust, Matt Murray, Connor Sheary, Carter Rowney, Jake Guentzel, Tristan Jarry, Josh Archibald, Oscar Sundqvist, and Teddy Blueger. Some of these players were pivotal in Pittsburgh’s 2016 and 2017 Cup-winning campaigns.
4. Born in Edmonton, Botterill, 49, was a standout college hockey player at the University of Michigan from 1993 to 1997. He was the Dallas Stars’ first-round pick, 20th overall, in 1994, known for his size, skill, and aggression. He played three seasons for Team Canada at the World Junior tournament, although his NHL career spanned just 88 games over seven seasons.
5. It is clear that Edmonton’s management will function as a collaborative team, with Jackson at the helm. Botterill’s extensive experience in Pittsburgh’s successful management team makes him a highly qualified candidate. His appointment as Edmonton’s GM would be unsurprising.
6. Additionally, Botterill’s sister, Jennifer, was a prominent player on the Canadian national team and is now a commentator on Hockey Night in Canada.
