Jarmo Kekalainen Named General manager of the Buffalo Sabres
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buffalo, NY – On February 7, 2024, the Buffalo Sabres announced the appointment of Jarmo Kekalainen as their new General Manager, effective immediately. This move follows the departure of Kevyn Adams and marks a notable shift in leadership for the struggling franchise, which hasn’t reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/jarmo-kekalainen-named-general-manager/
A proven NHL executive
Kekalainen brings a wealth of experience to the Sabres organization, having previously served as the General manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2013 to 2024. He holds the distinction of being the first Europe-born General Manager in NHL history. https://www.nhl.com/news/jarmo-kekalainen-out-as-blue-jackets-gm/c-347549982
During his tenure with the Blue Jackets, Kekalainen oversaw a period of sustained success, leading the team to five Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. His teams achieved a franchise record of 50 wins and 108 points in the 2016-17 season and secured the organization’s first-ever playoff series victory in 2019 with a sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Pegula Family Expresses Confidence
Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of the Sabres, expressed their enthusiasm for Kekalainen’s appointment. Terry Pegula stated, “Jarmo has distinguished himself over the last eight months, and his experience, professionalism, and drive speaks for itself. I am looking forward to him leading our organization to the next level.” Kekalainen himself expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am humbled to be the steward of this team and look forward to experiencing the passion that Sabres fans bring to every game.”
Changes in Hockey Operations
Kekalainen was initially hired as a Senior Advisor to the sabres on May 30, 2023, a role that allowed the Pegulas to assess his fit within the organization. His promotion to General Manager signifies a complete overhaul of the Sabres’ hockey operations leadership.
Departure of Kevyn Adams
Kevyn Adams served as the sabres’ General Manager for six seasons. While acknowledging Adams’ dedication, Terry Pegula noted, “We are not where we need to be as an organization, and we are moving forward with new leadership within our hockey operations department. We are dedicated to building an organization that is competitive year after year,and we have fallen short of that expectation.”
As of February 7, 2024, the Sabres hold a record of 14-14-4 and are eighth in the Atlantic Division. https://www.nhl.com/standings
Looking Ahead
the Sabres will continue their season with a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at KeyBank Centre in Buffalo. Kekalainen will immediately begin to assess the team’s needs and formulate a plan to return the Sabres to playoff contention.
Key takeaways:
* new Leadership: Jarmo Kekalainen is the new General manager of the Buffalo Sabres.
* Experienced GM: Kekalainen has a proven track record of success with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
* Playoff Drought: The Sabres have not qualified for the playoffs since 2011.
* Organizational Reset: The Pegula family is committed to building a consistently competitive team.
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