The Buffalo Sabres have hired former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen as the team's senior advisor, the team announced Friday morning. Kekalainen, 58, will report to general manager Kevyn Adams and "be involved in all areas of the hockey department.

When the Buffalo Sabres announced Friday that former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen was joining the team as a special advisor to GM Kevyn Adams, a couple things became clear: firstly, it showed Kekalainen will be a highly-valued voice in the organization;

Jarmo Kekalainen, the first European general manager in NHL history, was hired as a senior adviser by the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Kekalainen, who was the GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2013-24, will report to Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and, according the team, will be involved in all areas of the hockey department.