John Davidson, president of hockey operations for the Columbus Blue Jackets, decided to fire general manager Jarmo Kekalainen on Thursday, putting aside personal feelings.
In the Eastern Conference, the Blue Jackets (16-26-10) sit at the bottom.
“Unfortunately, as a team, our results haven’t been good enough,” Davidson stated. “As head of hockey operations, I take the first responsibility for that among all of us. As we flip the page, it became clear that we needed a new voice to guide us forward. Jarmo is a wonderful person, which made this decision challenging. He is a committed, devoted, and industrious man who has accomplished a great deal in our community over the past ten years, both on and off the ice.”As a team, we are doing better on the ice than we are doing poorly. We will require a somebody who can enlighten us, provoke more thought, and assist us in moving forward so that we can become a dangerous club.”
On February 13, 2013, Kekalainen was named the Blue Jackets’ third general manager. “The focus is on outcomes. Although it’s a business, people are also involved, according to Davidson. “So, I was aware that this might occur at some point when we brought Jarmo in. It took place. That’s hockey; it’s not a very enjoyable sport. Pro sports are what we do. Now is the moment to turn the page and proceed with all of the decisions that lie ahead of us. This season, we’ve also accomplished some excellent things.”
A consideration in the choice was the March 8th, 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, according to Davidson. Columbus hasn’t appeared in the postseason since four straight years between 2016 and 20.Captain of the Blue Jackets, Boone Jenner, stated, “We’re all in there and we take responsibility, too, for where we are as a team.” “Obviously, I just want to thank [Jarmo] for the relationship and the work over the last 11 years since I’ve been here with him; been through ups and downs with him.”
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