The Buffalo Sabres are making a change at the general manager position. News emerged that Kevyn Adams was fired from the post on Monday. Buffalo announced that Jarmo Kekäläinen will take over on a full-time basis. Ownership announced that a search for a successor has begun.
It’s official – Kevyn Adams is out, Jarmo Kekäläinen named the new Sabres general manager
— Joe Yerdon (@joeyerdon.bsky.social) 2025-12-15T18:56:39.859Z
Kevyn Adams Fired by Buffalo Sabres
Adams became the team’s general manager in January 2020 after he replaced Jason Botterill in the position. However, Adams ran into the same amount of problems that others have had with the Sabres. The franchise is in the midst of the longest Stanley Cup Playoff drought at 13 seasons.
There was some optimism with an infusion of young talent and strong play from the end of last season. However, hard times continue to trouble the Sabres. Buffalo had a six-game losing streak in November and December.
There was even a disastrous press conference from Adams on December 6, 2024, where he seemed long on excuses and short on solutions. Moves like bringing in former coach Lindy Ruff have yet to bear fruit. Buffalo seems overmanned and out of hope, even at this early point in the season.
What It Means
Owner Terry Pegula has yet to replicate the success of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, who are also under the Pegula Sports Entertainment banner. It seems the hockey club is the complete opposite of what the football team is.
Buffalo has to go back to the drawing board and find a way to salvage something out of the season. It looks like the Sabres might be sellers and start again, even though we’re not even to Christmas. There are some good players like Alex Tuch, Owen Power, and Rasmus Dahlin. However, they’ve yet to catch success.
This is a market that’s starved for a winner, but also seems to be snakebitten. The next general manager is going to face a tough task, finally breaking the spell of futility in Western New York.
Kekäläinen is an experienced general manager, which is something the Sabres have stayed away from. However, he’ll have work to do to turn things around.
Main photo by: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
