New Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen aiming for character, consistency

BUFFALO, N.Y. — In his first full day as Sabres basic supervisor, Jarmo Kekalainen pointed to Buffalo’s depth of expertise for giving him each cause to imagine the staff can climb again into playoff competition.

For that to occur, Kekalainen on Tuesday positioned an emphasis on constructing staff character and consistency — qualities the Sabres have been criticized for missing throughout their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

“I feel character is the most important a part of expertise … and that’s the expertise we have to concentrate on,” mentioned Kekalainen, who initially was employed by Buffalo in Might to function a senior adviser.

“There’s been video games this yr the place we seemed prefer it was going to be simple, after which we misplaced as a result of we acquired outworked. That’s unacceptable,” he added. “That’s going to be one thing that we’re going to concentrate on every day, as a result of the expertise, the talent alone will not be going to get you wins.”

Kekalainen’s message was not a lot ground-breaking or completely different from the 4 GMs who preceded him over the course of Buffalo’s drought. They usually embrace Kevyn Adams, who was fired on Monday after five-plus seasons on the job.

Adams will get credit score for rebuilding the staff via a youth motion that led to Buffalo parting methods with Jack Eichel (traded to Vegas) and Sam Reinhart (Florida).

Lacking throughout Adams’ tenure was sustained success. After topping out with 91 factors in 2022-23, once they missed the playoffs by one win, the Sabres have regressed, ending with 84 factors the following season and 79 final yr.

“(Followers) have each proper to be pissed off,” Kekalainen mentioned. “(However) we’ve some actually good core items right here. We’re shut. Now we simply need to take the following step.”

The 59-year-old from Finland distanced himself from Adams, who a yr in the past blamed excessive taxes and chilly winters as causes for having issue attracting and retaining expertise.

“Profitable hockey video games is a very powerful ingredient,” Kekalainen mentioned, drawing on the 11 years he spent because the Columbus Blue Jackets GM. “All people needs to play for a winner.”

Kekalainen mentioned he has full authority in overseeing the hockey division and has proprietor Terry Pegula’s approval to spend to the wage cap restrict.

Kekalainen’s observations, as a lot as his hiring, present the Sabres a reset in a season they’ve spent yo-yoing between demoralizing skids and inspiring profitable stretches.

At 14-14-4, Buffalo opened the day sitting tied for final with the Columbus Blue Jackets within the Jap Convention standings however solely six factors again of the eighth-place Boston Bruins. And after splitting a six-game highway journey, Buffalo is using its first three-game profitable streak of the season.

Excluding assembly with Kekalainen on Tuesday, gamers had the previous two days off, and resume apply Wednesday, a day earlier than internet hosting Philadelphia.

Kekalainen didn’t rule out making modifications, whereas backing coach Lindy Ruff by saying: “Lindy’s resume speaks for itself … And I’ve actually loved my time thus far with Lindy.” Ruff, the staff’s winningest coach, is within the second season of his second stint with Buffalo.

One change on the horizon could have Buffalo transferring forward with two somewhat than three goalies, although the choice on who would be the odd man out can wait, with Colten Ellis on injured reserve. Ellis, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon should first clear waivers earlier than being demoted.

Kekalainen additionally positioned a precedence on resuming negotiations to re-sign top-line ahead Alex Tuch, who’s within the remaining yr of his contract.

As for different potential modifications, Kekalainen mentioned he’s nonetheless evaluating. His promotion got here after spending final week in Finland to be along with his father, who died on Sunday following a prolonged sickness.

“This has been fairly a roller-coaster of feelings for me this weekend. So I’m simply beginning as we speak,” he mentioned.

Kekalainen is Buffalo’s tenth basic supervisor, and first with previous GM expertise since Scotty Bowman held the job from 1979-1987. And based mostly on Kekalainen’s observe document in Columbus, he brings a no-nonsense method and is unafraid to make daring strikes.

In the summertime of 2022, Kekalainen signed the late Johnny Gaudreau in free company. In 2019, he stood pat by not buying and selling prime stars Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene and Sergei Bobrovsky to maintain his roster intact for the playoffs, regardless of finally dropping all three in free company that summer season.

“During the last seven months, he’s proven to me that he’s able to main our group into the long run,” Pegula mentioned whereas introducing Kekalainen. “He’s made daring strikes prior to now … and simply has a confidence that I imagine will assist our group.”

Kekalainen mentioned the one factor he will not do is minimize corners merely to make the playoffs and finish the drought.

“I advised the gamers to overlook concerning the 14-years factor that’s sort of hanging round like a black cloud. And I’m going to do the identical factor,” he mentioned. “I’m not going to sacrifice the last word objective for the sake of creating the playoffs after which not having any sustainability for our objective as a staff to take the following step.”