Buffalo, N.Y. – In a decisive move that marked the second‑half of his sixth season, the Buffalo Sabres terminated general manager Kevyn Adams on Monday. The decision came after a 2½‑month stint in which the team hovered at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and risked extending its NHL‑record playoff drought to a 15th year.
Owner Speaks
The announcement was issued by owner Terry Pegula in a press release. Pegula said, “We are not where we need to be as an organization, and we are moving forward with new leadership within our hockey operations department. We are dedicated to building an organization that is competitive year after year, and we have fallen short of that expectation.”
Jarmo Kekalainen Steps In
Kekalainen, 59, had already been on the Sabres’ roster as a senior adviser since June. The former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager spent 11 years in Columbus before being fired in February 2024. He is a Finn and the NHL’s first European‑born GM.
“It is a great honor to be named general manager of the Buffalo Sabres. I am humbled to be the steward of this team and look forward to experiencing the passion that Sabres fans bring to every game.”
Kekalainen’s promotion came a day after his father, Kari, died at 82 after a lengthy illness. He posted a message on Instagram, calling his father his coach and idol, with a translation from Finnish.
Why the Change? A Record of Missteps
Adams faced criticism for mismanaging the Sabres’ assets, failing to secure a franchise goalie, and not addressing a leadership void that has lingered as the team has finished last in the overall standings four times and never better than 19th during its playoff drought.
He also failed to act during a 0‑10‑3 skid last season that knocked the Sabres out of contention before Christmas, and his roster moves during that stretch were widely seen as second‑guessing.
Fans had long been chanting “Fire Adams.” The GM was not introduced at the season opener in October, and in a protest, fans brought blow‑up palm trees to games after Adams lamented the difficulty of attracting talent to Buffalo because of high taxes and no palm trees.
The Rebuilding Plan and Its Fallout
Adams took over in June 2020 after a last‑place finish and launched a rebuilding plan that saw the team trade its top players: Jack Eichel to Vegas and Sam Reinhart to Florida. While the team showed signs of development and Adams proclaimed a competitive window opening, the Sabres regressed over the past two seasons.
- 2022‑23: 91 points, one win from ending the playoff drought
- 2023‑24: 84 points
- 2024‑25: 79 points
This season the Sabres are 14‑14‑4, hovering at .500 under coach Lindy Ruff, who is in his second stint. The team is competitive at home (9‑5‑2) but struggles on the road, with only two of five wins coming in regulation.
Trades and Goaltending Chaos
Adams, with input from Ruff, traded two‑time 20‑goal scorer JJ Peterka to Utah for forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. Doan ranks second on the team with 10 goals and third with 23 points, while Kesselring has played just nine games due to injuries.
In March, the Sabres swapped top‑line centers, acquiring Josh Norris for Dylan Cozens. Norris played only three games before aggravating an oblique injury last year and is limited to six games this season.
Goaltending has been a nightmare: Adams lost Linus Ullmark to free agency in summer 2021 after saying he was assured of a re‑sign. Since then, the Sabres have had 11 goalies start at least one game.
A Legacy of Leadership Changes
The Sabres are now on their fifth GM since Darcy Regier was fired a month into the 2013‑14 season. Adams, a Buffalo native and former NHL forward who won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006, had no front‑office experience before taking the role.
He replaced Jason Botterill in June 2020, a move deemed a cost‑cutting decision as the NHL dealt with COVID‑related uncertainty.
Key Takeaways
- Kevyn Adams was fired after 2½ months into his sixth season amid a 15‑year playoff drought.
- Jarmo Kekalainen, former Columbus GM, is the new general manager.
- Adams faced criticism for asset mismanagement, goaltending chaos, and failing to address leadership voids.
The Sabres’ ownership has signaled a new direction, hoping that Kekalainen’s experience and European perspective will help the franchise break its long-standing playoff absence.
Closing Thoughts
The Sabres’ front‑office upheaval underscores the franchise’s urgency to change course. With Kekalainen at the helm, the team will need to rebuild its core, stabilize its goaltending, and re‑establish leadership both on and off the ice. The next season will be a critical test of whether the new leadership can reverse the team’s fortunes and finally bring a playoff berth back to Buffalo.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
At newsofaustin.com, Morgan reports on everything from severe weather alerts and traffic updates to city council decisions, crime reports, and the issues shaping daily life in Austin. Known for reliable fact-checking and a strong commitment to public-interest journalism, Morgan brings readers the information they need to stay informed and engaged.
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