One of the biggest gripes with former Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams was his hesitancy to make moves. It was a longstanding weakness that showed through again this season as he refused to break up the team's problematic three-goalie rotation.
Sabres fans can expect a different approach from replacement Jarmo Kekalainen.
"He will go all in," Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, who covered Kekalainen during his time as the Columbus Blue Jackets' GM, said Tuesday during an appearance on WGR 550 Radio.
That's an exciting statement to hear for supporters of an organization that owns the longest postseason drought in NHL history at 14 years.
"He is deeply analytical. I think he's an interesting mix of patience with passion, too," Portzline added. "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."
Kekalainen guided the Blue Jackets' front office from 2013 through 2024.
Jarmo Kekalainen's more aggressive approach will be a welcome change of pace for the Buffalo Sabres
Sabres owner Terry Pegula built a strong relationship with Adams predating his decision to promote the former NHL player to the general manager job despite his lack of experience in any key decision-making front office roles.
Adams was completely unqualified to serve as an NHL GM and it showed on a daily basis. He likely would have been dismissed years ago if not for that underlying friendship with Pegula, along with his willingness to keep the team's owner looped in on hockey decisions.
In the end, however, Pegula had no choice but to find a new vision for the organization.
By all accounts, Kekalainen is a front office leader in the exact opposite mold of Adams. He's not going to stand idly by while the club embarks on a 13-game losing streak that destroys the entire season, as his predecessor did last year.
The 59-year-old Finland native is going to swing for the fences, and it probably won't take long before he starts shaking things up.
Buffalo has no shortage of low-impact players on the roster who can be moved to create space, starting with Jordan Greenway, and the three-goalie nightmare needs to end quickly after Colten Ellis is cleared to return from concussion protocol.
In addition, the Sabres have a potentially valuable trade chip in winger Alex Tuch. Although the team's preference would be to keep the 29-year-old winger, who was born in Syracuse, it'll have no choice but to move him if he's unwilling to sign a contract extension before the trade deadline in March.
Tuch could represent the type of marquee deal that allows Kekalainen to bring in multiple pieces that match his vision for the franchise's new direction.
Ultimately, Sabres fans would love to witness playoff hockey in downtown Buffalo again, but for now they would probably settle for a series of moves that showcases a real plan. Concrete steps toward building a more competitive roster in the near future.
That's something Adams never accomplished across his five-plus years in charge.