Mar 15, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; The effects of a winter storm are seen outside the KeyBank Center during the Wednesday practice sessions for the first round of 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

According to a report from Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, Jason Botterill will be announced as the Buffalo Sabres next general manager once the Capitals/Penguins series concludes.

We recently reported on comments made by John Wawrow of the Associated Press, in relation to the Buffalo Sabres‘ search for their next General Manager. Speaking during a segment on WBEN 930AM, Wawrow essentially said the Sabres would confirm who the new GM was, before the end of last week.

Well, that time has come and gone, and there has still been no official announcement. However, it apparently turns out this has nothing to do with the organization still contemplating their options.

To the contrary, as reported by WGR 550‘s Paul Hamilton, it appears Jason Botterill will take over the position recently vacated by Tim Murray. Hamilton referred to comments made by Sportsnet‘s Nick Kypreos on Hockey Night in Canada:

“It’s a forgone conclusion out of Pittsburgh that Jason Botterill will be named the next general manager of the Buffalo Sabres,” said Kypreos. “Terry Pegula is a longtime admirer of the blueprint that has come out of Pittsburgh that’s led to two championships, and of course Botterill has a big part of that.”

In that respect, it is Botterill’s current involvement with the Penguins’ organization, which is holding up the announcement. Whether it be at the request of the Penguins or the NHL, Kypreos added that the Sabres will wait until the conclusion of the current playoff series with the Capitals, before making anything official.

Assuming this is the case, the 40-year old is someone sports fans in Western New York are familiar with. The former winger concluded his playing career with the Sabres organization, before retiring in 2005.

Since then, Botterill has built up an impressive list of accomplishments, including receiving his MBA from The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He also worked in the NHL offices and spent a year as scout for the Dallas Stars.

In respect of more relevant experience, the Edmonton, Alberta native was named assistant GM for the Penguins in 2009, before becoming associate GM in June 2014. As noted by John Vogl of The Buffalo News, he has earned a reputation for being a salary cap expert.

It is this experience which has apparently persuaded Pegula to offer Botterill the opportunity to become the Sabres’ next GM. In theory, the official announcement could come in the next couple of days, with the Penguins holding a 3-2 series lead over the Capitials and playing Game 6 on Monday night.

Assuming the report is accurate, what is your take on Botterill becoming the Sabres’ next GM? Do you agree with the decision or not, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section.