[News] Columbus Blue Jackets hire GM Jarmo Kekalainen

[vilzeh]

The former ST. Louis Blues assistant GM Jarmo Kekäläinen has been appointed as the new GM of Columbus Blue Jackets, stated as a "multi-year contract".

Kekäläinen has been working as the GM of Helsingin Jokerit (SM-Liiga) from 2010. Jokerit are leading the SM-Liiga regular season at this moment, so I guess he did a good job there, getting a player like Erik Karlsson to play for them during the lockout won't hurt his resume.

Kekäläinen is now the first European GM in NHL history.

http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=655430

“Hockey is a truly global game and there are very few people whose knowledge of the game in North America and abroad surpasses that of Jarmo Kekalainen,” said Davidson. “He is intelligent, hard-working and a tremendous evaluator of talent. He is a terrific addition to the Blue Jackets family and will play an important role in our efforts to move our organization forward in the coming years"

More about Kekäläinen:

During his eight years in St. Louis, the Blues drafted players such as David Backes, Roman Polak, David Perron, T.J. Oshie, Patrick Berglund and Alex Pietrangelo.

Prior to his arrival in St. Louis, Kekalainen was a member of the Ottawa Senators hockey operations department from 1995 to 2002. He served in a variety of roles, including as the club’s director of player personnel for three years. He also oversaw the amateur draft and the club’s scouting efforts in Europe. Among the players selected by Ottawa during this time were Jason Spezza, Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat, Antoine Vermette and Ray Emery. While working with the Senators, he also served as general manager of IFK Helsinki in the Finnish Elite League from 1995 to 1999 and led the club to the league championship in 1998.

Personal thoughts: I think this is a good hire, because Europeans are having bigger roles in contending teams and sure it won't hurt to have an European GM who knows pretty much everything about European hockey, and knows what is needed to get in to the NHL level from there.

[Canada 02]

great hire!

[WilderPegasus]

He's immediately become the best GM in franchise history. By a wide margin.

[Ashasx]

I don't know. For whatever reason, European management/coaches haven't done historically well in the NHL.

[Gundo]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't know. For whatever reason, European management/coaches haven't done historically well in the NHL.

That's ok, historically neither has Blue Jacket Managment.

[WilderPegasus]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't know. For whatever reason, European management/coaches haven't done historically well in the NHL.

Considering there has never been a European GM in the league it is hard to say that they haven't done historically well in the NHL.

[bluck]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't know. For whatever reason, European management/coaches haven't done historically well in the NHL.

Have you seen the Blues prospect pool?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by bluck

Have you seen the Blues prospect pool?

Yeah, the guy has proven to be a good scout. That's a plus.

Not saying he will fail at all, but I think things become a little different when you start making the final decisions.

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't know. For whatever reason, European management/coaches haven't done historically well in the NHL.

Also he has picked players like Hossa, Havlat & Emery while he was in Ottawa.

His resume is kind of strong tbh.

[GreenLantern]

A totaly shake up from left field that will lead this club in an entirely new direction. This is probably exactly what the Jackets need.

The BJ's remind me of that game as a kid where you tried to fit the pegs into the right holes, square to square, circle to circle etc.. always had some great pieces, just never able to make it fit. With a new wave of young talent on the cusp of regular NHL duty this should be a great time to set a new course.

[Canada 02]

he was more than the Blues scout. He was more John Weisbrod than Tod Button

[neo45]

He also did a great job when he had more than 1 first round pick.

Took Eller, Cole, and Perron in one draft (all NHLers) and in another draft took Schwartz and Tarasenko (great picks).

It'll be interesting to see who they target because there is a good chance one of their three picks is near where the Flames will pick.

[vilzeh]

They might go for Barkov, (just rumors I've heard) but wouldn't be a shocker because Kekalainen sure knows him well.

[Canada 02]

^look at the gem's he's picked in the 2nd round and beyond; starting back in his days with the Sens. Consistently found good players after the first round

For the Sens:
Sami Salo and Karl Rachunek in the 9th round
Chris Neil and Brooks Laich in the 6th round
Chris Kelly in the 5th
Vermette and Mike Fisher in the 2nd

For the Blues
Backes, Stempniak, Roman Polak, Ben Bishop

Great talent evaluator

[Saqe]

Always liked Kekalainen and everywhere he has been, whether it has been in Finland or in North America, he has always been able to achieve positive things. Seems like a good guy too.


edit: Also interesting that the CBJ´s have three first round picks this draft... he might get a real jump start to his job if they are able to draft well.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I was beginning to think that Howson wasn't going to get replaced. Good move by Columbus. That organization has always needed better management, and I would bet that hockey market will be really good after they get there.

[Dorkmaster]

Amazing hire for Columbus. Also great that he gets to work with 3 first round draft picks right off the bat. He's had a huge hand in turning around St Louis.

[Poe969]

I think we trade them Kipper ASAP.

[Enoch Root]

he and Davidson make for a very solid team

[nik-]

kinda jealous of Columbus now