(Columbus) The Columbus Blue Jackets fired their general manager Jarmo Kekalainen on Thursday morning.
Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson has been named interim general manager while the hiring process for Kekalainen’s replacement continues.
Davidson is scheduled to meet with members of the media to explain the decision later today.
“This is one of the hardest days of my career, because Jarmo is a friend, someone I have a lot of respect for and someone who has done a lot of good things during his time here,” Davidson said in a statement.
Kekalainen’s firing comes as the Blue Jackets are on track to be out of the playoffs for a fourth straight season. The decision also came months after controversy rocked the organization surrounding the hiring of head coach Mike Babcock. The latter was forced to resign on the eve of the opening of training camp, due to his behavior towards the team’s players.
PHOTO FRED GREENSLADE, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Pascal Vincent behind the bench
The ownership group indicated in September that there would be no changes to the club’s management, after Kekalainen and Davidson named Quebecer Pascal Vincent to succeed Babcock. The team was under pressure, however, due to its lack of success this season and the fact that it has not made the playoffs since 2020.
Kekalainen, who is 57 years old, was hired by the Blue Jackets on February 13, 2013.
The Blue Jackets (16-26-10), who occupy last place in the Eastern Conference, will play their next game Saturday night against the Sharks in San Jose.
The results under the aegis of Vincent were hardly more brilliant. The Blue Jackets won 16 of their first 52 games, and star players such as Johnny Gaudreau were often benched late in games. The firing of Kekalainen could therefore lead to many other changes for the Blue Jackets after the conclusion of the season in April.