The Buffalo Sabres have finally made the change in the front office that fans have been looking for the past few seasons. From the outside looking in, it was clear that Kevyn Adams was not the right person to be general manager, and they now have an experienced person in that role with the announcement of Jarmo Kekalainen.
During his introduction press conference on Tuesday morning, Kekalainen was asked about Lindy Ruff and if he will remain as head coach. According to Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News, the new Sabres' general manager made it clear that everything is under evaluation, from the coaches to management.
Kekalainen, when asked about Lindy Ruff + staff retention:
— Rachel Lenzi 💁🏻♀️😎💥 (@rachelmlenzi) December 16, 2025
“We're going to evaluate everything moving forward, whether it's coaching staff, management, coaches, everybody is under evaluation at this point”#Sabres
There has been plenty of speculation about whether or not Lindy Ruff is the right person as head coach. This week, during an episode of Spittin' Chiclets, Paul Bissonnette tried to float the idea that Ruff would be moving from head coach to President of Hockey Operations.
That is a role that Ruff might fit in well, but that change shouldn't happen until after the season. This is only Ruff's second season returning to Buffalo to coach this team, and the first season was lackluster to say the least, with only 79 points.
Once again, the Sabres are near the bottom of the league in terms of points with 32. However, the Sabres are returning to Western New York, playing some of their best hockey after winning the final three games of their road trip. The addition of an experienced general manager like Kekalainen should certainly help improve the roster and give Ruff more talent to work with.
Buffalo Sabres can't afford to make too many changes in-season if they hope to make the playoffs
The good news for the Sabres is that the promotion of Jarmo Kekalainen shouldn't require much in terms of a learning curve since he has been with the team since the summer. He knows the roster and has seen how this organization has been operating.
If the Sabres tried to bring in a new head coach, it would require getting the players up to speed on operating a new system. That is challenging enough in season, but it also comes at a time when Kekalainen is trying to refine the roster to get into playoff contention. It is tough for teams to overcome that much change during the season.
A change at general manager and head coach would almost certainly guarantee another season without playoffs. The focus will shift to the future and the Sabres probably start to move some older veterans, or even Alex Tuch, at the trade deadline.
During the press conference, Kekalainen said he 'firmly believes' the Sabres can get to the playoffs this season. Lindy Ruff can still get the job done for this team and should be given the chance to show what he can do with an experienced general manager like Kekalainen.