Rumor: Sabres courting former high profile GM

 Sabres courting former high profile GM

Immediately after Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula made the shocking announcement that he had relieved general manager Tim Murray and head coach Dan Bylsma of their duties, he made the proclamation that he’d begin his search for their successors immediately. Well, it appears that the Sabres billionaire owner is keeping his word and reviewing candidates already.

At the top of his list according to Sportsnet’s NHL insider John Shannon? Former Vancouver Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis.

Gillis has been out of the hockey world since being fired by Canucks ownership in 2014. Gillis had tremendous success from 2008-2014 in Vancouver, building a team that came within one victory of winning the Stanley Cup. Since then, it’s been rumoured that he’s been offered similar positions in other organizations only to turn them down. However, given that the Sabres already have many of the pieces in place to become a successful franchise in the future, could Gillis be coaxed out of semi-retirement? 

Whether Gillis is in fact hired or Pegula decides on a different candidate for his top position, the team’s next general manager will have their work cut out for them managing a team whose development has stalled. Promising young players like Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristoleinen are supported by a strong cast of role players like Ryan O’Reilly, Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian. However, chemistry seems to be an issue in Buffalo. The team’s next general manager will need to get to the bottom of the team’s on ice issues and make changes accordingly if it’s to be successful moving forward.