'All in': Sabres reportedly ready to make major changes after firing GM Kevyn Adams
Photo credit: The Columbus Dispatch
The Buffalo Sabres made a major change in leadership yesterday, firing GM Kevyn Adams and replacing him with former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
The Buffalo Sabres made a major change in leadership yesterday, firing GM Kevyn Adams and replacing him with former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
The move comes as the Sabres continue to languish in the last place spot in the Atlantic Division, and if the playoffs were to begin today, they would not qualify for the 15th straight year.
It's the longest current drought in the NHL and is tied for the longest drought in professional North American sports.
Per a new report from analyst Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, who previously covered Kekalainen with the Blue Jackets, it won't be long before he starts making big moves.
He will go all in. He is deeply analytical. I think he's an interesting mix of patience with passion, too. You know, listen, I think this is such a difficult job, GM, that I almost want a second-time guy. I think Jarmo made mistakes here [in Columbus] that he has learned from. Stuff he would not do again. - Aaron Portzline
Sabres fans are now waiting with bated breath on whether or not that prediction will come true and help bring them back into relevancy.
The Sabres Never Made The Playoffs Under Kevyn Adams
Adams, who was hired as the Sabres GM in 2020, never led the team to the playoffs while also seeing multiple players depart either via trade or free agency and immediately have success.
Notable examples of players that the Sabres once had that are now thriving with other clubs include Sam Reinhart, now a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Florida Panthers, and former captain and second overall pick Jack Eichel, who won the Stanley Cup in 2023 with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Adams' tenure as GM will not be looked back upon fondly by Sabres fans.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16|223 ANSWERS 'All in': Sabres reportedly ready to make major changes after firing GM Kevyn Adams Did the Sabres make the right call by making a GM change? | ||
| Yes | 209 | 93.7 % |
| No | 14 | 6.3 % |
| List of polls | ||