Adam Proteau gives his take on the Columbus Blue Jackets parting with GM Jarmo Kekalainen, including the ups and downs and what comes next. Jarmo Kekalainen [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk5ODI1NTAxNzM1MzY0MjI0/usatsi_20976282.jpg] Jarmo Kekalainen The Columbus Blue Jackets fired GM Jarmo Kekalainen on Thursday. Kekalainen, 57, was the longest-serving GM in Blue Jackets history, originally hired mid-season in 2012-13. Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and alternate governor John Davidson will assume GM duties with the hockey operations management team while searching for a replacement. “This is one of the hardest days I have had in my career as Jarmo is a friend, someone I have a great deal of respect for and someone who has done a lot of good things during his time here,” Davidson said in a team news release. “While the future of our club is bright, our performance has not been good enough, and it is time for a fresh perspective as we move forward.” Columbus currently sits last in the Eastern Conference and 29th in the NHL with a 16-26-10 record for 42 points. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2019-20 and hasn't finished higher than sixth place in the Metropolitan Division in the last three seasons. Kekalainen was the first European GM in the NHL. Under him, the Blue Jackets made the playoffs five times out of their total six post-season appearances, including a four-year streak from 2017 to 2020. Their one playoff win came in 2018-19 with a four-game sweep of the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning. They also eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in a best-of-five play-in series in the 2020 "bubble" playoffs. In total, the club under Kekalainen posted a 410-362-97 record. At the draft table, the Blue Jackets selected players such as Zach Werenski (eighth overall in 2015), Elvis Merzlikins (76th in 2014), Yegor Chinakhov (21st in 2020), Kent Johnson (fifth in 2021), Cole Sillinger (12th in 2021) and Adam Fantilli (third in 2023). Other drafted players not still with the team include Alexander Wennberg (14th in 2013), Oliver Bjorkstrand (89th in 2013), Vladislav Gavrikov (159th in 2015) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (third in 2016). The Blue Jackets had five coaches during Kekalainen's time as GM, with four coaching games. Last July, the club hired Mike Babcock to replace fired coach Brad Larsen. Before training camp, Babcock resigned following an NHLPA investigation [https://thehockeynews.com/news/mike-babcock-resigns-as-blue-jackets-head-coach] into his interactions with players. Pascal Vincent took his place as coach. Kekalainen is the second GM this season to part with their team, following former Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion in November [https://thehockeynews.com/news/ottawa-senators-to-fire-gm-pierre-dorion-reports].
