Sources: Sabres have interviewed six candidates

BUFFALO, N.Y. >> The Buffalo Sabres have interviewed at least six general manager candidates in the first phase of a search process that is not yet completed.

One person with direct knowledge of the team’s search provided a list of candidates already interviewed to The Associated Press on Monday. The same person and another person with direct knowledge of the situation told The AP that the team is not yet close to reaching a decision because more candidates are scheduled to be interviewed.

The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team is not publicly discussing its search to replace general manager Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma, who were fired last month.

One person said the Sabres have interviewed two Pittsburgh Penguins executives, associate general manager Jason Botterill and assistant GM Bill Guerin. They have also interviewed four other assistant general managers: Columbus Blue Jackets Bill Zito, Nashville Predators Paul Fenton, New Jersey Devils Tom Fitzgerald and Los Angeles Kings Michael Futa. Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas has not been interviewed, despite his name surfacing in media reports as a potential candidate, that person said.

The people did not reveal who or how many more candidates are being considered, or provide a timetable on the search in clarifying comments made by Sabres owner Terry Pegula on Sunday.