New Era for the Buffalo Sabres: Jarmo Kekalainen’s Front Office Reshaping
The Buffalo Sabres have embarked on a new chapter with the hiring of Jarmo Kekalainen as their general manager. In his first week on the job, Kekalainen has wasted no time in reshaping the team’s front office. On Sunday, the Sabres announced the hiring of former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin and Josh Flynn to Kekalainen’s staff. This move comes after Kekalainen fired assistant general manager Jason Karmanos just a day earlier.
Kekalainen, the former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager, took over the Sabres on Monday, replacing Kevyn Adams. The team is currently in jeopardy of extending their NHL-record playoff drought to a 15th consecutive season. With the hirings of Bergevin and Flynn, Kekalainen aims to bring a fresh perspective and wealth of experience to the team’s front office. “[They] bring a wealth of unique experience and perspective,” said Kekalainen. “Adding both to an already strong group adds versatility and helps us continue to build a well-rounded hockey operations staff.”
Marc Bergevin: A Seasoned Leader
Bergevin fills the associate general manager position and will serve as Kekalainen’s top adviser. With a storied career spanning over three decades, Bergevin joins the Sabres after spending parts of the past five seasons as a senior adviser with the Los Angeles Kings. His most notable tenure was as the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens from 2012 to 2021, where he oversaw six playoff appearances, including a five-game series loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. Bergevin’s expertise in talent evaluation will be invaluable to the Sabres, as Kekalainen noted, “Marc has firsthand experience as an NHL general manager and a track record as a strong talent evaluator.”
Josh Flynn: A Strategic Mind
Flynn was named assistant general manager, bringing his expertise in salary cap management, statistical research, and strategic planning. Having worked under Kekalainen with the Blue Jackets, Flynn’s role will be similar in Buffalo. Kekalainen praised Flynn’s attention to detail and nuanced understanding of league processes, stating, “I know that his attention to detail and nuanced understanding of league processes will help to enhance how we support our broader organization.” With Flynn on board, the Sabres’ front office is poised to make informed decisions to drive the team’s success.
The hirings of Bergevin and Flynn mark a significant shift in the Sabres’ front office. With the departure of Jason Karmanos, Mark Jakubowski’s duties will likely shift to overseeing the Sabres’ American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester, New York. Kekalainen has also retained Sabres assistant general manager Jerry Forton, who serves as the team’s chief amateur scout. As the Sabres look to turn their fortunes around, the new leadership is focused on building a strong foundation for the team’s future success.
