The Buffalo Sabres announced Friday that they have hired former Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen as a senior adviser. This move significantly boosts General Manager Kevyn Adams` front-office staff with Kekalainen`s extensive experience.
In this newly established position, Kekalainen, aged 58 and from Finland, will report directly to Adams and contribute to all facets of the hockey operations department. He had been out of the NHL since his dismissal by the Blue Jackets in February 2024, concluding an 11-year tenure during which he was the league`s first European-born general manager.
This appointment comes amidst criticism directed at Adams, who has relatively little experience managing the Sabres since becoming a first-time GM after Jason Botterill`s sudden firing in June 2020. Adams, a Buffalo native and former player, previously had limited roles as an agent and assistant coach before working in the Sabres` business department. His hiring as GM was part of ownership`s cost-saving measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sabres are currently experiencing an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought. Adams` position is under scrutiny as he enters the final year of his contract.
Facing questions about his future in Buffalo, Adams indicated during his season-ending media availability last month that he would focus on improving his staff, stating, “We’ll take a look at everything.” He has since reflected on the team`s season, specifically a damaging 13-game losing streak in December, and wondered if he should have made roster changes earlier.
In the team`s statement released Friday, Adams mentioned that Kekalainen quickly emerged as a top candidate for the senior adviser role during the search process.
Adams praised Kekalainen`s background: “Jarmo possesses an impressive resume and a strong track record of success in this league, stemming from his extensive experience in scouting, his lengthy time as an NHL general manager, and his wide-ranging work at the international and European professional levels,” Adams stated. “I`m incredibly excited to bring another key individual into our front office as we continue strengthening our staff.”
Kekalainen`s time leading the Blue Jackets marked the most successful period in the franchise`s history. Under his guidance, Columbus recorded 43 or more wins four times, including a team record of 50 wins in 2016-17, and reached the playoffs five times – a significant improvement compared to their single playoff appearance in the team`s initial 12 years.
Kekalainen commented on the shared vision: “We share similar philosophies and core principles on how to construct a winning team,” Kekalainen said. “I`m keen to assist wherever possible and believe I can provide a new perspective to complement the existing staff as we work towards enhancing our roster this offseason.”
Kekalainen joins the organization following the Sabres` recent hiring of former NHL forward Eric Staal, who previously played with Adams, as a special assistant to the GM. The Sabres` front office structure also includes three assistant general managers: Jason Karmanos, Mark Jakubowski, and Jerry Forton.
After a short NHL playing career in the early 1990s with Boston and Ottawa, Kekalainen transitioned into scouting and later held front-office positions with the Senators and St. Louis Blues.
His experience also extends internationally, as he served as assistant general manager for Finland`s national team, which won a bronze medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and also participated in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Duncan Priestley 
Neville Woodall