Overview
- Owner Terry Pegula said the organization is not where it needs to be and confirmed Kekäläinen will oversee hockey operations effective immediately with no interim tag.
- Kekäläinen, hired as a senior advisor in May, previously ran the Columbus Blue Jackets for 11 years and was the NHL’s first European-born general manager.
- Adams exits after more than five seasons with a 178-196-42 record as Buffalo failed to end its league-long playoff drought.
- Buffalo is 14-14-4 and tied for the fewest points in the East despite a three-game win streak to close a six-game road trip.
- Early priorities cited by reporters include decisions on pending UFA Alex Tuch, several RFAs, and clarifying a crowded goaltending picture, while Kekäläinen was noted to be in Finland on personal leave following his father’s death.