The Buffalo Sabres are struggling this season, sitting last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 14-14-4. They’re just two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Hradek shared his thoughts on the Sabres, saying, “The culture has been an issue for a while. Maybe Jarmo can help change that.” It’s clear that watching the team cycle through players without much success is frustrating.
Jarmo Kekalainen’s return as a general manager is seen as a positive shift. He led the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2013 to 2024 and gained valuable experience during that time. Hradek noted, “Compared to the other managers under Terry Pegula, Jarmo is the most experienced.” He’s not wrong. Past managers like Darcy Regier, Tim Murray, and Jason Botterill each had their challenges, often lacking the necessary experience.
Hradek believes Kekalainen’s history will help Buffalo. “He’s dealt with all kinds of scenarios: good teams, bad teams, player trades,” he added. This experience could be the key to changing the Sabres’ fortunes.
In other news, the NHL’s Central Division sees the Colorado Avalanche leading with a record of 24-2-7, closely followed by the Dallas Stars at 22-7-5, and the Minnesota Wild at 20-9-5. Hradek mentioned that Quinn Hughes has been a game-changer for the Wild, bringing them closer to the top teams.
The discussion also included a goalie swap between Tristan Jarry of the Penguins and Stuart Skinner of the Oilers. Experts will be watching to see who benefits more from this change.
Speaking of young talent, the conversation shifted to promising players like Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Jason Robertson. These athletes could make a big splash in upcoming seasons, not just for their teams, but for the league as a whole.
The episode wrapped up with talk about the Olympic roster, including standout names like Elias Pettersson and goalies Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark. As the NHL season progresses, it’s exciting to see how these players evolve and contribute to their teams.
For more in-depth analysis, you can listen to the “NHL @TheRink” podcast, available on various platforms and the NHL app.
