Kekalainen Fired as Blue Jackets General Manager, Davidson to Assume Duties
Columbus Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson has fired Jarmo Kekalainen as general manager, citing the team's poor results and the need for a new direction. Davidson highlighted Kekalainen's contributions to the team but emphasized that a change was necessary. The decision comes ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, and the Blue Jackets have not made the playoffs since the 2019 season. The search for a new GM will begin immediately, with qualities such as outside-the-box thinking, energy, and a strong understanding of analytics being sought after.
Jarmo Kekalainen Fired as General Manager
Columbus Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson has announced the firing of Jarmo Kekalainen as the team's general manager. The decision comes as a result of the team's poor performance, with the Blue Jackets currently being last in the Eastern Conference. Davidson expressed his respect for Kekalainen and acknowledged his dedication and contributions both on and off the ice.
However, Davidson emphasized the need for a new voice to lead the team forward. The Blue Jackets have been unable to secure a playoff spot since the 2019 season and are currently 18 points behind the Detroit Red Wings for a wild card position. The decision to let go of Kekalainen was a difficult one, but it was deemed necessary for the team's future success.
Search for a New GM Begins
With Kekalainen's departure, the Columbus Blue Jackets will now begin the search for a new general manager. Davidson stated that he expects to receive numerous calls from potential candidates, and the team is in a good position due to its talented roster and supportive ownership. The organization is in no rush to make a decision and is looking for a candidate who possesses qualities such as outside-the-box thinking, energy, and a strong understanding of analytics.
While the search is underway, Davidson and the team will focus on making the necessary decisions to propel the Blue Jackets in the right direction. The team's recent coaching changes, along with Kekalainen's firing, highlight the organization's commitment to improving and achieving success.
Kekalainen's Tenure and Contributions
Jarmo Kekalainen served as the general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets since February 2013. During his tenure, the team made five playoff appearances and even secured a four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2019 Eastern Conference First Round. However, the team's success has been inconsistent, with their highest finish in the Metropolitan Division being sixth.
Kekalainen made notable moves such as acquiring defenseman Seth Jones, forward Artemi Panarin, and forward Patrik Laine through trades. He also signed forward Johnny Gaudreau as an unrestricted free agent. Additionally, Kekalainen played a role in drafting notable players like Pierre-Luc Dubois, Adam Fantilli, David Jiricek, and Zach Werenski.
Despite Kekalainen's contributions, the ownership and management felt that a change was necessary to improve the team's performance and push them towards becoming a consistent playoff contender.
