Latest news with #EricStaal
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Sabres hire former Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekäläinen as senior adviser
The Buffalo Sabres made another addition to their front office on Friday, hiring former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen as a senior adviser. He will report to general manager Kevyn Adams and assist in all aspects of the hockey department. Kekäläinen is the second addition Adams has made to the front office this offseason. Earlier this month, he hired his former Hurricanes teammate Eric Staal as a special assistant to the general manager. Adams, who is returning for his sixth season on the job, has started to recognize the need for more experienced voices around him as he tries to end the team's 14-year playoff drought. 'As we navigated the process of hiring for this role, it very quickly became apparent that Jarmo was an ideal candidate to augment our front office,' Adams said in a statement. 'From his extensive history in scouting, his long tenure as an NHL general manager and his vast experience at the international and European pro levels, Jarmo has a remarkable resume and a long history of success in this league. I spoke with a number of candidates about this role and it's clear to me that Jarmo is a perfect fit for our team. I couldn't be more excited to add another significant piece to our front office as we continue the process of adding to our staff.' Advertisement Kekäläinen became the first European-born general manager in NHL history when the Blue Jackets hired him in 2013. During his 12 seasons on the job, the Blue Jackets made the playoffs five times. He was both the longest-serving and winningest general manager in Blue Jackets history. Prior to his time in Columbus, Kekäläinen was a general manager in the Finnish Liiga and also had an extensive NHL resume. He was a European scout for the Senators before spending three years as Ottawa's director of player personnel. He then spent three years as a director of amateur scouting for the St. Louis Blues before getting a promotion and serving as the Blues' assistant general manager for five seasons. 'Kevyn and I already had a strong working relationship from my time with the Blue Jackets and when we first started talking about this opportunity, it immediately felt like a natural fit,' Kekäläinen said in a statement. 'We are aligned in our philosophies and share the same core beliefs on how to build a winning team. I'm eager to help in any area I can and think I can offer a fresh perspective to supplement the staff already in place as we look to improve our roster this offseason.' Kekäläinen immediately becomes the most experienced person in Buffalo's front office. And while his track record in Columbus was imperfect, having another voice in the room will be valuable for Adams as he navigates a tricky offseason. JJ Peterka, Bowen Byram, Ryan McLeod, Jack Quinn, Devon Levi and Jacob Bernard-Docker are all restricted free agents. Alex Tuch is also eligible for a contract extension. The contract negotiations and trade discussions the team has this summer will impact what direction this rebuild takes. During Adams' five-year tenure as general manager, the Sabres' winning percentage is 25th in the NHL, and they haven't finished higher than 20th in the league standings. He's drawn consistent and vocal criticism from the fan base for his missteps during those five seasons. After hitting 91 points in 2022-23, the Sabres have regressed in each of their last two seasons. Adams and coach Lindy Ruff are both entering the final year of their respective contracts, so there is significant pressure to make this season the one in which the Sabres finally end their playoff drought. How big of a voice Kekäläinen will have in that process and whether he can help the Sabres achieve that goal remains to be seen. But few would argue against the idea that an experienced voice was needed in Buffalo's front office.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabres Searching For Senior Advisor To Join Management
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to make more changes to their management structure in addition to the hiring of Eric Staal as a special assistant last week, and reportedly have contacted some big names who are in the mix for other open positions. According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, Buffalo has approached former Detroit and Edmonton GM Ken Holland and former New Jersey, Toronto, and New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello to gauge interest in the senior advisor role that the club is looking to fill. Holland is reportedly in the mix for both the LA Kings and Islanders GM positions, and Lamoriello has in the past baulked at positions that did not have him in day-to-day control. Two factors that make the senior advisor with the Sabres questionable are the tenuous position of GM Kevyn Adams and what kind of say this advisor would have in hockey decisions. Adams is entering the final year of his contract, and if he is fired during or after next season, it would likely be a clean sweep of the club's management structure. Other names mentioned, like former NHL GM and ex-Sabres head coach Rick Dudley, have a similar position with the Florida Panthers, and might hesitate to leave an organization where his opinion is respected for a position in Buffalo more ceremonial. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change In Team USA's 6-0 win over Hungary in Herning, Denmark on Sunday, Sabres forward Tage Thompson was +1 and had four shots on goal in 16:09 of ice time. Here is how some former Sabres performed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday: Carolina - 4, Washington - 0, Hurricanes lead 2-1 William Carrier(CAR) 12:51 TOI, 3 SOG, 7 Hits Eric Robinson(CAR) 1G, +1, 13:14 TOI, 2 SOG, 3 Hits Taylor Hall(CAR) 1A, 14:42 TOI, 3 SOG, 3 Hits Mark Jankowski(CAR) Did Not Play Vegas - 4, Edmonton - 3, Oilers lead 2-1 Evander Kane (EDM) 14:06 TOI, 2 Hits Jeff Skinner(EDM) Did Not Play Jack Eichel(VEG) 1A, -1, 22:12 TOI, 1 SOG Victor Olofsson(VEG) 13:05 TOI, 2 SOG, 2 Hits Brayden McNabb(VEG) 1A, 19:39 TOI, 3 Hits Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabres Add USA Hockey's Galivan As Director Of Performance
The Buffalo Sabres earlier this week began a reshuffle of their organization with the hiring of former NHLer Eric Staal as a special assistant to GM Keyvn Adams. On Friday, the changes continued with the hiring of Brian Galivan as the club's Director of Performance. Galivan replaces Ed Gannon, who was let go by the Sabres after 10 years after the season, and comes after serving with USA Hockey and as the director of sports science of the US National Team Development Program. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change 'Brian has been a trusted resource for hockey players from the junior levels through the NHL level for years and as we continue to make changes this offseason, we're lucky to be able to add somebody with such a strong body of work to our organization,' General Manager Kevyn Adams said in a press release. 'Brian has be en known around the hockey world for years as one of the preeminent strength coaches in the world. Our players will benefit from his vast experience and wealth of knowledge, and I know he will be a tremendous asset for the Sabres.' The Sabres are hoping that Galivan can bring an improvement in the club's overall strength and conditioning, as a number of players have encountered lingering injuries, and those absences have contributed to their inability to snap a league record 14-year playoff drought. Galivan marks another connection between the team and USA Hockey, which includes assistant coach Seth Appert and Director of Pro Scouting Jeremiah Crowe. 'I am excited to join the Buffalo Sabres and bring my experience to this incredible organization,' Galivan said. 'Building the sports science department at NTDP and helping shape the culture there has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I'm eager to bring my experiences and I look forward to working with the players and staff to continue elevating the team's performance.' Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sabres Pondering A Significant Managerial Shakeup
The Buffalo Sabres announced the hiring of former Sabre Eric Staal as a special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams on Wednesday, but this may be the first of many moves within the organization before the start of training camp in September to bolster both the management staff around Adams and possible changes in head coach Lindy Ruff's coaching staff. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported on Wednesday that the Sabres have held exploratory conversations with experienced NHL executives in an effort to beef up their front office around Adams, who is expected to retain his position as general manager with one more year left on his contract. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change The report says that Sabres owner Terry Pegula is exploring a variety of options, including the hiring of a VP of Hockey Operations or Team President that would serve in a position above Adams, possibly a senior advisor to assist the GM in making decisions, or possibly moving Adams up and hiring a new GM. Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News reported on Wednesday that one possible change may be the exit of Sabres Assistant GM Jason Karmanos. Karmanos, who served from 1999 to 2013 as VP of Hockey Operations and Assistant GM in Carolina, and in similar roles with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2014 to 2020, has been with Buffalo since 2021, but according to Lysowski, he did not participate in the club's exit interviews last month. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Eric Staal returns to Buffalo Sabres as special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams
Eric Staal returns to Buffalo Sabres as special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams (Image Source: Getty Images) Eric Staal resumes with former teammate Kevyn Adams to assist Sabres' future Veteran leader Eric Staal aims to inspire a team seeking its identity Eric Staal returns to the Buffalo Sabres , but this time not on the ice. The team announced that the former NHL star had come aboard as a special assistant to general manager Kevyn Adams . The new position enables Staal to bring his years of hockey experience and championship know-how to the Sabres' future. Since retiring two years ago, the 40-year-old has contributed expertise, insight, and a championship pedigree to a club still seeking to end its extended playoff dry Staal's return to the NHL is off the ice and into a suit. His relationship with Sabres GM Kevyn Adams traces back to their time together on the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes, the ones that raised the Stanley Cup . Now they are reunited in Buffalo with hopes of rebuilding a struggling Staal's new position will have him touch every aspect of the hockey department. It's a hire intended to introduce a new perspective into the Sabres' front office, which already has assistant general managers Jason Karmanos, Mark Jakubowski, and Jerry award-studded resume boasts a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal (2010), and a world championship (2007). Fewer players know more about winning than Staal, and the Sabres are banking on his experience to lend support where it's most needed, ranging from guiding players to making input in front-office Sabres have not made the playoffs in 14 consecutive seasons, an NHL record for consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance. Adams, in his fifth season as GM, has come under growing pressure to alter the direction of the team. Hiring Staal is not nostalgia alone, it's about infusing a new perspective from a player who's witnessed what it takes to Staal is familiar with the city of Buffalo. He suited up for the Sabres for several games before being dealt to Montreal. Even though his player tenure in Buffalo was short-lived, he is returned now with a mission of long-term purpose to help shape the future of an inexperienced team that needs his playing years, Staal spent 12 years with the Carolina Hurricanes where he emerged as one of the most esteemed people in the organization. He is one of just four players to have his number retired by the franchise. Now, he'd like to take what he's gained during those years and apply it to the front Read: 'It Isn't About Me; It's About The Teams I've Had': Coach Lindy Ruff Registers 900th NHL Win As Buffalo Sabres Close Out Season Against Philadelphia Flyers
