Having known mostly success over the past decade with the Penguins, Jason Botterill

BUFFALO Adidas Jonathan Bernier Jersey , N.Y. (AP) Having known mostly success over the past decade with the Penguins, Jason Botterill received a sobering introduction to life at the bottom of the NHL during his first season as Buffalo Sabres general manager.”I’ve been here for one year and I was pretty (ticked) off and upset,” Botterill said during a season-ending news conference Wednesday, ”I guess I could be articulate, but I’ll just say it (stinks) that we won’t be watching live playoff hockey right now.”Being on the outside looking in is an unusual position for Botterill, who spent the previous two Junes celebrating Stanley Cup championships as the Penguins assistant GM. He was hired last spring after the Sabres cleaned house by firing GM Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma.If there’s anything Botterill can draw upon from his experience with the Penguins, is seeing the notable difference between what makes up a winning organization and a losing one in Buffalo .The Sabres finished last for the third time in five years, and extended their franchise-worst playoff drought to a seventh season.”Right now we have a losing culture here,” Botterill said.He put the onus on himself, coach Phil Housley and players to find ways of inspiring change Adidas Paul Thompson Jersey , be it with their training habits or communication and leadership abilities.”I don’t want to hear how disappointed they are. I want to hear what’s going to change,” Botterill said. ”It just can’t be about words. We have to have better results.”Botterill backed the disheartening sentiments expressed by center Ryan O’Reilly during the team’s final media availability on Monday. O’Reilly said a losing mentality had crept into the locker room and led him to losing his love for playing hockey at times.”I think he gave you an honest opinion. And in today’s sports world that’s a little bit unique,” Botterill said.”When you don’t get the results you want, it can be really draining on a player,” he added. ”And what he said is probably indicative of a lot of our players within our organization. And that’s what we have to work through right now.”Botterill began the news conference by saying Housley isn’t going anywhere after he struggled in his first year as coach. He credited Housley for developing some of Buffalo’s youngsters, and believes in the up-tempo style the coach began introducing this season.As for the roster, Botterill didn’t rule out making drastic changes even if it meant shaking up the team’s core group of leaders.”When you finish where we were, you have to look at everything,” he said.Buffalo finished last in the NHL with 199 goals scored and 119 goals scored in five-on-five situations. The Sabres also matched a franchise low for home wins in any season by going 11-25-4 at Buffalo – not including an overtime loss to the Rangers in the Winter Classic at New York City in which the Sabres were the ”home” team.If there was a bright side, Botterill looked forward to the draft in June Adidas Troy Brouwer Jersey , when Buffalo is guaranteed picking no worse than fourth overall, pending the results of the NHL’s draft lottery on April 28.Botterill was impressed by Jack Eichel’s development on the ice, where the third-year center set career bests with 25 goals and 64 points, and off the ice in continuing to mature as a leader.Botterill, however, said it was premature as to whether the Sabres were prepared to award the 21-year-old Eichel the captaincy, a role that was not filled this past season.”As excited as we are of Jack moving forward as a leader, it’s imperative that we have more players in that locker room step up,” Botterill said.”This game cannot have one player lead the entire team. It’s imperative that we have stronger leadership bases in there.”NOTES: Botterill said G Robin Lehner will not require surgery after the starter visited a specialist this week to assess a lower body injury. … In announcing he expects rookie G Linus Ullmark to play for Buffalo full time next season, Botterill said he’s not determined his second goalie Adidas Michael Hutchinson Jersey , including Lehner, who is eligible to become a restricted free agent. … Backup Chad Johnson completed his one-year contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.— WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Kyle Connor doesn’t want to get worked up about his hot start to the season.Connor scored for a third straight game and the Winnipeg Jets overcame Ilya Kovalchuk’s first NHL goal in five years to beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 on Tuesday night.“Trying not (to get) too high or too low throughout the season,” Connor said. “It’s a long season here. But playing with confidence is a big thing for me.”Mark Scheifele also scored and Connor Hellebuyck made 16 saves for the Jets, who outshot the Kings 39-17.“The guys were really good in front of me, so I could just enjoy the game,” Hellebuyck said.Jack Campbell, replacing injured starter Jonathan Quick, stopped 37 shots in his ninth career game.Quick suffered a lower-body injury during practice last Saturday. Campbell got the nod Sunday and backstopped the Kings to a 4-2 win over Detroit.“(Campbell) comes in tough spots and the team doesn’t play well in front of you, but he still gives you a chance to get a point at the end of the day Adidas Mike Hoffman Jersey , so it’s terrific,” Kings coach John Stevens said.“But you can’t play the game on your heels. You just sit back and let a team come at you, they’re going to make you play in your end a lot.”Kovalchuk got his first goal since returning from Russia with the Kings this season on a three-year deal. It was the 418th of his career.The 35-year-old Kovalchuk got behind Winnipeg’s defensemen, skated to the net and redirected Drew Doughty’s pass at 6:26 of the opening period for a 1-0 lead.“I prefer to win than score goals,” Kovalchuk said. “It wasn’t enough so we will be better next game.”The Jets tied it four minutes later when forward Brandon Tanev spun away from a defender along the boards and sent a quick pass to the slot for Scheifele’s first goal of the season at 10:59.The Jets had almost back-to-back power plays near the midway point of the second period and were successful on the second one when Connor poked the puck in with his stick after Blake Wheeler’s shot went off Campbell and began heading toward the goal line at 10:21.Winnipeg’s shot advantage in the second was 19-5.Los Angeles had its first power play of the game midway through the third, but Hellebuyck made a big save and then got a piece of another shot that hit the crossbar.Winnipeg defenseman Tyler Myers was called for high-sticking with 3:02 remaining. Campbell went to the bench with about 90 seconds left to make it 6-on-4 but couldn’t convert with the advantage.UP NEXTKings: Play the second game of their four-game trip in Montreal on Thursday night.Jets: Travel to Nashville for a game Thursday night.