The Columbus Blue Jackets have parted ways with 11-year GM, Jarmo Kekalainen. In a move that will bring big changes to the organization, President of Hockey Operations/ Alternate Governor John Davidson chose now to move on from Kekalaine after meeting with team ownership and an evaluation period. Davidson revealed that the new GM search will begin to identify candidates outside the organization while adding they do not have anyone in mind at the present time.
Hired in 2013, Jarmo Kekalaine’s stint as Blue Jackets GM was in part success, in part failure. The team went to the playoffs five times in Kekalaine’s first seven years on the job. In 2021, the now-former GM decided to tear down the team and start a rebuild, which is ongoing. In 869 games under his watch, the Blue Jackets were 410-362-97 ninth worst record in the league for that time.
The Blue Jackets have a Top-5 prospect pool and some high-end young talent, many around the NHL agree the team's future is bright. Unfortunately for Kekalainen, there is a season ongoing and the team currently sits 29th in the league. In five playoff appearances, the Blue Jackets have won just one series.
John Davidson said this season the on-ice performance has not been good enough. In his media availability, Davidson announced he and the hockey operations management would be acting GM while a search gets underway this way someone is maneuvering the trade deadline.
The question was asked about finding an individual who will come up with a strong path for player development which Davidson said was critical. It is no secret the Blue Jackets have struggled in player handling this season. That had to factor into the decision to move on for ownership.
For a prospective new GM walking into a team with good young players and high-end prospects along with a very good salary cap situation makes Columbus a very attractive job. Davidson said he had already had some phone calls about the position.
What a new GM will do is hard to say, players and prospects could be in Columbus for a while or traded. A new head coach could be brought in. Many things could happen, but first, a GM needs to be hired.
