Dahlin addressed the media on Wednesday to discuss the Sabres’ firing of general manager Kevyn Adams on Monday and the subsequent appointment of Jarmo Kekalainen.
The 25-year-old said his initial reaction to the change was, “Excited. Turning a new page. Looking forward to the future,” according to The Athletic’s Matthew Fairburn.
Kekalainen is the third general manager Dahlin will play under, but he seems to have all the faith in the world in him.
The change comes as Buffalo sits last in the Eastern Conference at 14-14-4. The Sabres are on pace to extend their NHL-record playoff drought to 15 years.
Despite the poor record, Kekalainen also has the support of Alex Tuch in hopes of retooling the Sabres to find success.
“Jarmo coming in is going to bring a lot of experience and a new perspective,” Tuch said, per Lenzi. “I have all the faith in the world that we can make the playoffs. I think that we’ve been playing some of our best hockey as of late, I’m just really focusing on the present.”
Kekalainen previously spent 11 years as general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, guiding them to the post-season five times.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, who was close friends with Adams, is having a harder time with the change than his star players.
“I felt sad,” Ruff said, per Lenzi. “I felt like I let my GM down and that I didn’t get the job done.”
The Sabres will play their first game under Kekalainen on Friday against the Philadelphia Flyers.