The Buffalo Sabres have taken their time looking for a new general manager to replace Darcy Regier, and if TSN’s Bob McKenzie is to be believed (and he is) the team isn’t looking to hire anyone for the open position until at least 2014.
On last night’s “Insider Trading” segment, McKenzie said the following:
The Buffalo Sabres will certainly take in to the new year, and maybe beyond that, closer to the Olympics before a general manager is named. Our sense is there’s somewhere between six and ten names that president Pat LaFontaine is looking at, that he’s probably spoken to two-thirds or three-quarters of that group.
We can also add one more name to the still-growing list of candidates – Los Angeles Kings co-director of amateur scouting Mike Futa. According to McKenzie, the Sabres have asked for permission from the Kings to interview Futa (pronounced Few-ta) but no word yet on whether that permission has been granted.
Futa has served in that capacity for LA over the past six years, and helped build the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2012. Prior to his work in California, Futa served as the GM of the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL for five seasons, where he earned OHL Executive of the Year honors in 2005.
If you’re looking for a more well-rounded candidate, Futa has experience as both a head and assistant coach in the OHL, and has also been both a head and assistant GM in the junior leagues. Toss in a few years as a professional player in Europe, and you’ve got a guy who has seen every side of the league, from the ice to the bench to the press box.
