The Sabres fired GM Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma on April 20.
Futa, 49, was promoted to assistant general manager on April 12, two days after Rob Blake replaced Dean Lombardi as Kings GM. Futa was vice president of hockey operations and director of player personnel. He has been with the Kings since 2007, when he was hired as director of amateur scouting.
Prior to the Sabres hiring Murray on Jan. 9, 2014, Futa said he spoke to them about the job but opted to remain in Los Angeles.
"It was never my intention to leave the Kings, but you want to continue to grow," Futa told LAKingsInsider in 2014. "Obviously right out of the gate, you're very excited about it … and then, we're in the middle of the season, it's not really a real fair time for the L.A. Kings, and when you're a big part of running their draft, and a team's talking about pulling you out of the ship in the middle of the season, it's difficult. I ended up going through the process. I think it went exceptionally well. I know from the feedback … It went to Tim [Murray[, but for me it was an incredible learning experience."
Sportsnet reported that the Sabres asked to interview New York Rangers assistant general manager Chris Drury, who played with Buffalo from 2003-07, for the GM job, but the Rangers declined the request.
TSN reported the Sabres have interviewed Penguins assistant general manager Bill Guerin for the GM position.
