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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kekalainen is the third general manager Dahlin will play under, but he seems to have all the faith in the world in him.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Despite the poor record, Kekalainen also has the support of Alex Tuch in hopes of retooling the Sabres to find success. <\/p>\n “Jarmo coming in is going to bring a lot of experience and a new perspective,” Tuch said, per Lenzi<\/a>. “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.”<\/p>\n Kekalainen previously spent 11 years as general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, guiding them to the post-season five times.<\/p>\n Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, who was close friends with Adams, is having a harder time with the change than his star players.<\/p>\n