Columbus dismisses general manager Kekalainen

The Columbus Blue Jackets have dismissed Jarmo Kekalainen, the longest-tenured GM in the organization’s history.

Jarmo (57) was appointed in February 2013 by Columbus and became the 1^st European-born GM in the National Hockey League.

Jarmo Kekalainen has been relieved of his duties as general manager.

John Davidson, along with the team’s hockey operations management team, will assume general manager’s duties while the club goes through the process of hiring a replacement.

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— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 15, 2024

The team has the worst record in the East Conference with a .404-point percentage in 52 matches (16-26-10). The Blue Jackets made the postseason in 2019-20. Under Jarmo, the franchise qualified for the playoffs 5 times but only triumphed in a single postseason matchup – their shocking 2019 1st round upset of 1st place against the Bolts in a sweep.

“This is 1 of the toughest days I have had in my career as Kekalainen is a friend, someone I respect deeply, and someone who has contributed enormously during his time in Columbus for the team to get better,” shared John Davidson, the Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and alternate governor. “While the future of our organization is vivid, we didn’t start the season the way we wanted, and now is the time for a different perspective as we move forward.”