With the news of Jarmo Kekäläinen signing with the Buffalo Sabres as a senior advisor, it’s time to take a look at what the Sabres are getting in Kekäläinen. Here’s a brief breakdown of his best and worst trades and signings as general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Kekäläinen served as the Blue Jackets’ GM from February 2013 to 2024, and over those 11 seasons, he worked hard to put the team in a position where they could consistently contend for the playoffs.
Kekäläinen's Best Trades
Brandon Saad to CBJ
- Blue Jackets Received: Brandon Saad, Alex Broadhurst & Michael Paliotta
- Blackhawks Received: Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp & 2016 4th-round pick
Acquiring Panarin for Saad
- Blue Jackets Received: Artemi Panarin, Tyler Motte & 2017 6th-round pick
- Blackhawks Received: Brandon Saad, Anton Forsberg & 2018 5th-round pick
Seth Jones to CBJ
- Blue Jackets Received: Seth Jones
- Predators Received: Ryan Johansen
Kekäläinen's Worst Trades
Gaborik to the Blue Jackets:
- Blue Jackets Received: Marian Gaborik, Blake Parlett & Steven Delisle
- Rangers Received: Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore & 2014 6th-round pick
Blue Jackets trading Gaborik:
- Blue Jackets Received: Matt Frattin, 2014 2nd-round pick & conditional 3rd-round pick
- Kings Received: Marian Gaborik
Sending Bjorkstrand to Seattle
- Blue Jackets Received: 2023 3rd-round pick & 2023 4th-round pick
- Kraken Received: Oliver Bjorkstrand
VGK & CBJ Expansion Trade
- Blue Jackets Received: Expansion Draft Considerations
- Golden Knights Received: 2019 2nd-round pick, 2017 1st-round pick & David Clarkson
Stipulation: Vegas had to select William Karlsson in the expansion draft.
Kekäläinen's Best & Worst Signings
His best signing as GM of the Blue Jackets is Johnny Gaudreau, and it’s not even close. The deal shocked the hockey world and came together unexpectedly. Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract, carrying a $9.75 million AAV.
His worst signing was Nathan Horton’s contract in July 2013. Horton signed a seven-year, $37.1 million deal with a $5.3 million AAV, but injuries limited him to just 35 games in Columbus.
Kekäläinen's Best & Worst Draft Picks
Best Picks:
- Zach Werenski – 1st Round, 8th overall (2015 NHL Draft)
- Oliver Bjorkstrand – 3rd Round, 89th overall (2013 NHL Draft)
- Kirill Marchenko – 2nd Round, 49th overall (2018 NHL Draft)
Worst Picks:
- Kerby Rychel – 1st Round, 19th overall (2013 NHL Draft)
- Pierre-Luc Dubois – 1st Round, 3rd overall (2016 NHL Draft)
- David Jiricek – 1st Round, 6th overall (2022 NHL Draft)
Kekäläinen had some really good years and some tough ones. However, his experience and long track record in Columbus will make him a strong addition as a senior advisor to Sabres GM Kevyn Adams.
