The Buffalo Sabres have a new leader in the front office, as Jarmo Kekalainen was named general manager Monday, replacing Kevyn Adams [[3]].The move comes as the Pegula family seeks to revitalize a franchise that hasn’t reached the Stanley cup Playoffs since 2011,and marks a notable shift in direction for the team currently eighth in the Atlantic Division. Kekalainen,a veteran NHL executive and the first European-born general manager in league history,arrives with a proven track record from his decade with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Buffalo Sabres announced Monday that Jarmo Kekalainen has been named their new general manager, replacing Kevyn Adams, who was relieved of his duties.
“It is a great honor to be named general manager of the Buffalo Sabres,” Kekalainen said. “I would like to extend my thanks to (owners) Terry and Kim Pegula for this opportunity. I am humbled to be the steward of this team and look forward to experiencing the passion that Sabres fans bring to every game.”
Kekalainen joins the Sabres after serving as a senior advisor since May 30. His appointment comes after an extensive search, according to team owner Terry Pegula.
“I have named Jarmo Kekalainen as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres and he will be overseeing hockey operations, effective immediately,” 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 brings a wealth of NHL experience to Buffalo, having previously served as the general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2013-24. He made history as the first Europe-born GM in league history.
During his tenure in Columbus, the Blue Jackets reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs five times. The team also achieved a franchise record of 50 wins and 108 points in the 2016-17 season, and secured their first-ever playoff series victory with a first-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.
Adams had been the Sabres’ GM for six seasons. Under his leadership, the team currently holds a record of 14-14-4 and sits eighth in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo has not reached the postseason since 2011, a drought Sabres fans are eager to see broken.
“I would like to thank Kevyn for his dedication and loyalty to the Buffalo Sabres,” Pegula said. “He has been a reliable presence, and we are appreciative of his enduring care and commitment. I personally wish him and his entire family all the best.”
Pegula emphasized the need for a change in direction. “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.”
The Sabres return to action on Thursday, December 28, against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+).
