Buffalo Sabres players and coach Lindy Ruff expressed accountability, optimism, and focus on performance following Jarmo Kekäläinen's appointment as general manager, replacing Kevyn Adams (as previously reported). Amid a three-game win streak and sitting six points from playoffs at 14-14-4, leadership emphasized winning despite the front-office shift.
Following the Buffalo Sabres' front-office change—with Jarmo Kekäläinen promoted to general manager on Monday, relieving Kevyn Adams (see prior coverage)—team leaders shared reactions during Wednesday's practice at KeyBank Center.
In his introductory press conference Tuesday, the 59-year-old Finn demanded harder work and consistency, vowing to 'evaluate everything.' Players and coach Lindy Ruff took responsibility for the shakeup.
'We’re a big reason why a man lost his job. We weren’t getting the results that needed to happen, and we feel terrible about that,' forward Alex Tuch said. 'We need to be better in this locker room.'
Ruff added: 'I felt sad, felt like I let my GM down, that I didn’t get the job done.' He praised Kekäläinen's preparation from prior discussions on players, analytics, and games: 'He’s a guy that’s always looking in different directions.'
Captain Rasmus Dahlin was excited: 'I’m excited for him raising the standards... He’s a really hardworking guy, he knows what he wants, he’s a confident guy and he’s not afraid to take chances.'
Forward Tage Thompson stressed continuity: 'It doesn’t change anything from our standpoint... We still have the same obligation, and that’s to go out and try to win games.'
The Sabres face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Updates: Michael Kesselring expected back from lower-body injury; Isak Rosen loaned to Rochester (AHL); Peyton Krebs out with illness; Jason Zucker returns post-Christmas; Alex Lyon starts in goal.
