BUFFALO, N.Y. -- With the Stanley Cup Final out of the way, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill has resumed the team's coaching search with the expectation to make a decision by early next week.
In a text sent to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Botterill declined to reveal which candidates from the Cup finalists he still intends to interview after Pittsburgh beat Nashville to win the championship in Game 6 on Sunday. When asked specifically about his interest in Pittsburgh's Rick Tocchet and Nashville's Phil Housley, Botterill would only say: "I have respect for both of the coaches mentioned."
The newly hired GM has already interviewed numerous candidates, including Washington assistant Todd Reirden. Botterill, however, was forced to place the search on hold because NHL rules prevented him from interviewing assistant coaches on teams still competing in the playoffs.
Botterill was hired last month after the Sabres fired both GM Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma in April.
Botterill has an immediate connection to Tocchet. Botterill spent the previous 10 years working his way up the Penguins' ranks to eventually become the team's assistant GM (see full story).
Sabres: Ullmark signs 2-year extension
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed goalie Linus Ullmark to a two-year, $1.5 million contract extension.
Ullmark completed the final year of his rookie contract and was eligible to become a restricted free agent next month. Though spending much of the past two seasons being groomed in the minors, Ullmark has an 8-11-2 record in 21 NHL career games.
NHL
Last year, he went 26-27-2 in 55 games with AHL Rochester. Selected by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2012 draft, Ullmark spent the next two seasons playing in his native Sweden.
The Sabres have until Sunday to determine whether to protect Ullmark or returning starter Robin Lehner when submitting their list of players eligible to be selected by Vegas in the NHL expansion draft next week.
Predators: Yannick Weber signs 1-year deal
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Yannick Weber to a one-year contract worth $650,000.
Webber played a career-high 73 games this season and had one goal and eight points.
The 28-year-old Weber has 23 goals and 55 assists in 347 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks as well as Nashville. He also has 33 goals and 62 assists in 155 career AHL games with Hamilton and Utica. Weber is 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds.