LaFontaine will likely hire a first-time GM for vacant Sabres job

The Buffalo Sabres are still looking for a general manager and have begun the process by interviewing candidates. Bob McKenzie divulged some details of the process Tuesday afternoon on TSN Radio 1050.

"Tim Murray's name has come up now out of Ottawa, I'm assuming that's the name mentioned as the new name. I'm not sure whether Brad Treliving from the Phoenix Coyotes, assistant GM, whether he's been interviewed or not. I know Jimmy Benning has, I believe Jason Botterill has so the process is underway. I think what people are realizing is Pat LaFontaine is going to be involved and I think whoever takes that job understands that and I think it was all well and good for Pat LaFontaine on the day he was named [GM] and he named Ted Nolan the interim head coach that any general manager who goes in there is going to have the task of understanding Ted Nolan is going to be the coach of the hockey team and it may not be the entire blank slate that some general managers want when they go in. 

The general manager that gets hired by LaFontaine will be somebody who's never been a general manager before, wants to be a general manager and doesn't have a problem working in close consort with Pat LaFontaine. My own personal view point... just a hunch is that Boston Bruins assistant general manager Jim Benning... should be or could be the front-runner for that job."

McKenzie also said LaFontaine turned down the Sabres general manager job because he didn't know enough at the time about the league but wants to be on the side helping the new general manager. McKenzie explained what he thinks LaFontaine's philosophy is "I want to give my general manager the freedom to do his job, but I want to make sure I've got some significant input in this as well."

To listen to the entire segment, click here.