The Buffalo Sabres are bolstering their hockey operations staff with a pair of meaningful additions, signaling a renewed push to end the franchise’s lengthy playoff drought. Following the december 15th dismissal of Kevyn Adams and the subsequent appointment of Jarmo Kekäläinen as general manager [[2]], the team announced Saturday the hiring of Marc Bergevin as associate general manager and Josh Flynn as assistant general manager. These moves represent the first major personnel changes under Kekäläinen’s leadership as he attempts to reshape the struggling institution.
The Buffalo Sabres are undergoing a significant front-office overhaul, announcing Saturday the addition of Marc Bergevin as associate general manager and Josh Flynn as assistant general manager. The moves come as Sabres’ GM Jarmo Kekalainen begins reshaping his hockey operations department.
Bergevin, 59, joins the Sabres after serving as a senior advisor to the general manager of the Los Angeles Kings since 2022. He also recently led the Canadian team as general manager at this year’s Spengler Cup, a prestigious international tournament.
Prior to his time in Los Angeles, Bergevin spent nearly a decade at the helm of the Montreal Canadiens, serving as their general manager from 2012 to 2021. During his tenure, he constructed a Canadiens team that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.
Bergevin’s hockey career also includes a lengthy stint with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he held various roles, including assistant general manager during their 2010 championship season.
Alongside Bergevin, Josh Flynn arrives in Buffalo with a strong track record in contract negotiations and salary cap management. He spent the last 16 years with the Columbus Blue Jackets, beginning as a sports agent before transitioning to various roles within the team’s hockey operations department in 2008.
These appointments follow Saturday’s announcement that Jason Karmanos had been relieved of his duties as associate general manager.
Bergevin and Flynn now face a considerable challenge with the Sabres, a team currently mired in the NHL’s longest playoff drought. Buffalo hasn’t reached the postseason since 2011 and currently sits at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, extending their streak to a potential 15 consecutive seasons without playoff hockey.
