BUFFALO – Before Jason Pominville returned to Montreal for the summer, the free agent winger and Sabres general manager Jason Botterill discussed his uncertain future.
Nothing was ruled out. They plan to keep the lines of communication open. So, yes, an 11th season with the Sabres is a possibility.
At the end of his 14th NHL campaign in April, Pominville, 36, hardly seemed ready to retire.
“What I just said to him was if it ever came to a situation where there wasn’t room, we’d certainly follow up with him,” Botterill said on a conference call this afternoon, hours after free agency opened. “By the same token, I’d respect if he was going to move on to a different organization, just to give me a heads up.
“So we’ve kept that dialogue going on.”
Pominville has enjoyed one of the greatest careers in Sabres history. Even last season, at an age when most players are retired, the popular veteran produced 16 goals and 31 points in 73 games.
“There is the utmost respect from our organization and me personally for Jason Pominville,” said Botterill, who played with Pominville and reacquired him two years ago from the Minnesota Wild.
Pominville broke down discussing his future before the Sabres’ home finale last season. That night, he saluted the fans and received a rousing ovation after scoring.
Botterill said Pominville spent the spring working out at the team’s facilities.