Is Kekalainen Really Safe?

In the interim, as proven by owner John P. McConell during the press conference luncheon Monday afternoon.

From ownership on Monday:

“Our ownership group is deeply frustrated and disappointed by the events of the past week. We have been in contact with John Davidson, Jarmo Kekalainen and our management team throughout this process and were in full agreement with Mike Babcock stepping down and Pascal Vincent leading our team as head coach.

“We had candid conversations with our leadership after last season about our goals and expectations for growth and progress on the ice in 2023-24. Those expectations are still in place and can still be achieved, so we do not anticipate further changes to our hockey leadership team at this time. Additional disruptions would be detrimental to our players and coaches as they prepare for the opening of training camp in two days. We will continue to have regular communications with our hockey leadership and are looking forward to an exciting season.…

Kekalainen and the entire organization might have just fired their last remaining bullet in the chamber.

As I mentioned in my BOLD PREDICTIONS for 2023-2024

1. The Dawn of a New Era

My first bold prediction is one that covers all worst case scenarios. Injury bug. More career lows. Rock bottom hits. We get a new regime. No President. General manger is an internal promotion. And another new coaching switch.

There is not much time for the brass aside riding out the season, and praying for the best performance they have ever had.

Kekalainen has been the general manager since the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

He is the only general manager in Columbus’ 23-year history to have won a single playoff game or series.

He has built and developed this team mainly through the draft. That is the main way they keep players in town for a long time.

This past summer he has welcomed defenders Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson into the squad. Multiple PTOs are with the forwards and defense, but only one goalie.

They drafted who could become the greatest center of all time in Adam Fantilli at number three overall from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Recency bias has called for his head on a silver platter with the early dismissal of Mike Babacock and immediate pivot into Pascal Vincent. There is some internal relief that this decision was made, and the new NHLPA head is content with his speech.

Training camp opens tomorrow morning for the 32 NHL clubs, the organization hopes that doing this now will cover their bases for the season. Does it linger for Kekalainen and Davidson, or will the result matter more?