{"id":469495,"date":"2025-05-30T13:50:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T17:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=469495"},"modified":"2025-05-30T13:50:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T17:50:11","slug":"sabres-hire-senior-advisor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/30\/sabres-hire-senior-advisor\/","title":{"rendered":"Sabres Hire Senior Advisor to Front Office"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sabres hired Jarmo Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen<\/a> to be Senior Advisor. He will assist Kevyn Adams<\/a> and be involved in all areas of the hockey department. A top priority for the Sabres was finding an experienced NHL executive to fill this role, and they may have found exactly what they need.<\/p>\n

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We have hired Jarmo Kekalainen<\/a> as senior advisor.<\/p>\n

Kekalainen will report to GM Kevyn Adams and will be involved in all areas of the hockey department.<\/p>\n

Details \u2192 https:\/\/t.co\/82n06HtmMf<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9MemYOUGwF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) May 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen’s History<\/h3>\n

In the early 2000s Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen spent time as the Director of Player Personnel with the Ottawa Senators<\/a>. And then worked as the Assistant General Manager with the St. Louis Blues. He then returned to Finland to serve as the General Manager of the Jokerit hockey team.<\/p>\n

In 2013, Jarmo Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen made history as the NHL\u2019s first European General Manager. He served as general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>. Known for his bold, no-nonsense approach, he helped guide the franchise to its first playoff series win in 2019. Famously sweeping the Presidents\u2019 Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Jarmo Kekalainen as GM of the Blue Jackets (2013-2024):<\/p>\n

\u2022 Regular Season: 410-362-97
\n\u2022 Five playoff appearances
\n\u2022 Two playoff series wins
\n\u2022 Oversaw four best point totals in CBJ history<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Sabre Report (@TheSabreReport) May 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen was let go by the Blue Jackets in 2024 after serving as general manager for close to 11 seasons with the Blue Jackets.<\/p>\n

Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen is Exactly What the Sabres Need<\/h3>\n

The Sabres front office more than anything else needs experience. Current General Manager Kevyn Adams has not served in a front office role outside of the Buffalo Sabres. After missing the playoffs for a fifth straight year as General Manager, many expected the team to fire him. However, Sabres ownership gave him the nod to continue the role<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen navigated many tricky situations throughout his tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen handled big trades, bold signings, and aggressive trade deadline moves throughout his time as GM. In contrast, Kevyn Adams has hesitated to make major decisions, often relying too heavily on homegrown talent\u2014a strategy that hasn\u2019t delivered results. Now, Kek\u00e4l\u00e4inen will step in to help Adams make the tough calls this offseason and guide critical decisions throughout the year.<\/p>\n

After all, the rumour mill is flowing with information about the Sabres and their core players.<\/a> The Sabres are in the midst of a massive offseason, they have many pending restricted free agents, and not all of them will return to Buffalo for training camp. Alex Tuch<\/a> needs a new shiny contract as well, he will be a unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. These are not scenarios you want an inexperienced general manager navigating alone.<\/p>\n

Fans are happy. Fans grew concerned that the Sabres wouldn’t make any changes<\/a> to the front office outside of a Eric Staal<\/a> hire. This hire gives the Sabres much needed front office experience. Hopefully it will pay dividends for the organizations moving forward.<\/p>\n

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The Sabres hired former Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen as a senior advisor.<\/p>\n

Home-run hire, in my opinion. He deserves to be a GM.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) May 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notable Trades\/Signings as Blue Jackets General Manager<\/h3>\n

Trades:<\/p>\n