GM Jarmo Kekalainen’s plan for Sabres includes more competitive identity; Lindy Ruff, coaches will be evaluated

BUFFALO – Oh, you bet Jarmo Kekalainen has a plan to improve the Sabres. In his first remarks as general manager, he spoke clearly and firmly about what he values.

Character, the hockey lifer said Tuesday before taking questions, is the biggest part of talent. He wants the Sabres to develop a competitive and relentless identity.

“There’s been games this year where we looked like it was going to be easy, and then we lost because we got outworked,” Kekalainen said as he began his 22-minute news conference in KeyBank Center. “That’s unacceptable, and that’s going to be something that we’re going to focus on every day here. …

“We want to be proud of that identity moving forward because we do have the skill and we do have the talent. So the focal point will be character.”

Now, having replaced Kevyn Adams on Monday, Kekalainen needs time to evaluate the Sabres before he can implement his vision for a team that owns an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

But changes, whether it’s simple player transactions or more significant moves, are surely coming. Kekalainen, 59, just spent seven months as a senior advisor to Adams, so he’s not starting his new job cold.

What does Kekalainen think about veteran coach Lindy Ruff? Adams brought back Ruff, a franchise icon, last year. He’s the league’s only coach whose contract expires following the season.

“Lindy’s resume speaks for itself,” Kekalainen said. “He’s been a great coach in the league for a long time. I’ve really enjoyed my interaction with him day to day. He works his tail off every day … and he’s looking for ways to get better.”

Still, Kekalainen said Ruff and his coaches, like everyone, will be evaluated.

“But there are a lot of good people here that are great at their jobs,” he said.

As Kekalainen begins evaluating, he said he wants the Sabres “to focus on today.”

“We’ve got a lot of hockey left this year,” he said. “I think we can do special things with this team.”

Right now, the Sabres have a season-long three-game win streak. Needing more than two months to earn three consecutive victories illustrates why entering Tuesday’s schedule, they ranked 15th in the Eastern Conference and eighth in the Atlantic Division, six points out of the final wild card spot.

They’ve been wildly inconsistent. The odds, of course, are slim they can roar up the standings and overtake seven teams.

“We have some really good core pieces here,” Kekalainen said. “We’re close. Now we just have to take the next step.”

When he addressed his players Tuesday, Kekalainen told them to forget about the playoff drought “that’s kind of hanging around like a … black cloud around the team.”

“I’m going to do the same thing,” he said.

Like his predecessor, the Finn said he won’t take any shortcuts just to simply make the postseason.

“I’m not going to sacrifice the ultimate goal for the sake of making the playoffs and then not having any sustainability for our goal as a team to take the next step and have it be an opportunity, a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup,” Kekalainen said. “So … we’re going to have a plan, and the plan is going to be the Stanley Cup.”

Kekalainen will likely aggressively pursue that goal. He said one of his philosophies is “don’t be afraid to make a mistake,” a mantra he relates to players. They must play freely and without fear of failure.

“I apply that to myself in work, too,” he said. “Whatever it takes to make our team better, we’re going to do. We’re not going to be afraid of making a mistake.”

As Adams worked to improve the Sabres, he had trouble attracting talent in free agency or through deals because players have Buffalo on their no-trade list. The Sabres’ woes over the last decade and a half haven’t made them the most desirable team to join.

Kekalainen faced similar challenges during his 11-year run as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets, another small-market team.

“Everybody wants to play for a winner,” he said. “You’ve got to win hockey games.”

Kekalainen said Sabres owner Terry Pegula, who briefly introduced his new GM but did not take questions, has given him full autonomy to run the hockey department and the green light to spend to the top of the salary cap.

“We have every resource available for us that we need to make this team better, make it more attractive for the guys to stay or attract free agents,” hes said. “So that’s all I can ask for as a general manager.”