S2 Ep33: Building It the Right Way — Jarmo Kekäläinen on the Sabres’ Rise

Jarmo Kekäläinen, General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres, joins Daren Millard and John Shannon on 100% Hockey for a candid conversation about Buffalo’s transformation and the philosophy driving it.

Kekäläinen reflects on his journey from consultant to general manager, outlining his belief that character, competitiveness, and culture must come before pure talent. He explains how those principles have shaped the Sabres’ recent success and why maintaining standards inside the room is central to long-term growth.

They also discuss:

- Player evaluation and what separates good teams from contenders
- The relationship between management and coaching staff
- Trade deadline strategy and roster construction
- Lessons learned from international hockey and Olympic experience

A thoughtful look at how Buffalo has reshaped its identity — and why Kekäläinen believes the foundation is now in place for sustained success.