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Sabres Hire Jarmo Kekäläinen As Senior Advisor

May 30, 2025 at 9:33 am CDT | by Josh Erickson 9 Comments

The Sabres have named former Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen as a senior advisor to GM Kevyn Adams, per a team release.

Kekäläinen “will be involved in all areas of the hockey department,” the club said. This is Kekäläinen’s first NHL job since Columbus relieved him of his duties as GM in February 2024. He’s been working in his native Finland since then as a senior advisor to Helsinki’s HIFK. Still, he’s interviewed for multiple NHL GM vacancies in the meantime, including the Hurricanes’ last year and the Islanders’ earlier this month.

It’s no secret the Sabres were looking to hire a more established NHL executive to work with the much younger Adams this summer as the franchise navigates a turning point amid their league-record 14-year playoff drought. They’ve been linked to recently-fired Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello and Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan at points over the last few weeks, but opted for Kekäläinen instead.

“As we navigated the process of hiring for this role, it very quickly became apparent that Jarmo was an ideal candidate to augment our front office,” Adams said in a statement. “From his extensive history in scouting, his long tenure as an NHL general manager and his vast experience at the international and European pro levels, Jarmo has a remarkable resume and a long history of success in this league. I spoke with a number of candidates about this role and it’s clear to me that Jarmo is a perfect fit for our team. I couldn’t be more excited to add another significant piece to our front office as we continue the process of adding to our staff.”

Kekäläinen will advise Adams as the duo determines whether to trade or extend a slate of pending restricted free agents that includes defenseman Bowen Byram and winger JJ Peterka. Also on the team’s offseason checklist is a new deal for center Ryan McLeod and opening extension talks with winger Alex Tuch.

The 58-year-old Kekäläinen hopes today’s appointment is a stepping stone back to an NHL GM role, whether that ends up being in Buffalo or elsewhere. He was one of the league’s longest-tenured GMs until his firing in Columbus, which hired him midway through the 2012-13 campaign. Before that, he spent three years as the Senators’ director of player personnel (1999-2002) and eight years with the Blues as their director of amateur scouting and assistant GM (2002-2010).

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Buffalo Sabres| Newsstand Jarmo Kekäläinen| Kevyn Adams

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View Comments (9)

Comments

  1. NSco1996

    2 weeks ago

    If he helps the sabres acquire stars via trades like fleecing that bozo Bowman on that Saad, Anyon Forsberg for Panarin, Motte trade maybe this can work out for Buffalo

    1
    Reply
  2. FeeltheThunder

    2 weeks ago

    At this point, hiring Kekäläinen to advise GM Adams can’t hurt as Buffalo needs all the help it can get at this stage. They have some core pieces but just need to find the right formula to create success with them.

    2
    Reply
    • rdiddy75

      2 weeks ago

      The blind leading the blind lol lol.

      Reply
  3. fljay73

    2 weeks ago

    October record 4-5-1
    Winless streak 0-10-3
    Rest of Season- 32-24-3

    Team finished strong. Played all season with a ineffective Cozens or a healthy Norris. Finished with a top league Offense. Youngest team in hockey. Zucker is a leader this team has needed. Dahlin’s first year as Captain. Patience.

    Reply
    • Doghockey

      2 weeks ago

      I guess not counting all of the losses is one way to say that they had a decent record. Also, losing four of the last five games is not finishing strong. Granted, it came after a five game W streak but four Ls in five games is not a strong finish. I believe that this team can turn the corner soon but there is no way to justify this season’s record when you look at the multiple losing streaks of three or more games.

      Reply
  4. fljay73

    2 weeks ago

    * Or a unhealthy Norris

    Reply
  5. fljay73

    2 weeks ago

    Disregard above. Wasn’t awake.

    Reply
  6. 12Kelly

    2 weeks ago

    This team will continue to languish until ownership realizes that Adams is an incompetent GM who has managed a team that has continued to regress throughout his tenure. Approach free agency with the realization that the top free agents will not even think about signing with the Sabres until the team shows the desire to succeed. Therefore the trade route should be a priority but with Adams in charge that will likely see him get taken to the woodshed by other GM’s as usual. So unless the mindset changes with the approach to hiring a real GM and build a hockey department the playoffs are a pipe dream.

    Reply
  7. KL

    2 weeks ago

    I don’t get this at all. Ownership is the issue in Buffalo. Adams is loyal to the Pegulas and they’re loyal to him, despite the team’s repeated failure. There aren’t enough senior hockey advisors in the world that can fix ownership treating the team like a hobby.

    Reply

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