Jarmo Kekalainen Named Buffalo Sabres General Manager in Leadership Shakeup
A new era has begun for the Buffalo Sabres, as Jarmo Kekalainen has been appointed as the team’s general manager, effective immediately. The move follows the firing of Kevyn Adams on Monday, signaling a significant shift in the organization’s leadership.
Kekalainen expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “It is a great honor to be named general manager of the Buffalo Sabres.” He further extended his gratitude to owners Terry and Kim Pegula, adding, “I want to thank owners Terry and Kim Pegula for this opportunity. I am honored to be the representative of this team and look forward to experiencing the passion that Sabers fans bring to every game.”
The appointment comes after Kekalainen initially joined the Sabres organization as a senior advisor on May 30. According to a statement released by team owner Terry Pegula, “Jarmo’s hiring was the result of an exhaustive search process in which Jarmo stood out as our top choice for the Senior Advisor position.” Pegula continued, emphasizing Kekalainen’s qualifications, “Jarmo has distinguished himself over the past eight months, and his experience, professionalism and drive speak for themselves. I look forward to him taking our organization to the next level.”
Kekalainen brings a wealth of experience to Buffalo, having previously served as the general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2013 to 2024. During his tenure in Columbus, he made history as the first European-born general manager in National Hockey League history. Under his leadership, the Blue Jackets reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs five times, achieving a franchise record of 50 wins and 108 points in the 2016-17 season. A significant milestone was reached in 2019 when the team secured its first-ever playoff series victory with a first-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The change in leadership comes as the Sabres currently hold a record of 14-14-4 and occupy eighth place in the Atlantic Division. Under Adams’ six-year leadership, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs, with their last postseason appearance dating back to 2011.
Pegula acknowledged Adams’ contributions, stating, “I want to thank Kevyn for his dedication and loyalty to the Buffalo Sabres.” He added, “He has been a reliable presence, and we appreciate his constant attention and commitment. Personally, I wish him and his entire family all the best.” However, Pegula also underscored the need for change, explaining, “We are not where we should be as an organization, and we are moving forward with new leadership in our hockey operations department. We are dedicated to building a competitive organization year after year, and we have not met that expectation.”
Looking ahead, the Sabres are scheduled to face the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with coverage available on HULU and ESPN+.
