Ron Hextall Stays; Kekalainen to Become GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets

[Telos]

Probably deserves its own thread. If you haven't heard, the Blue Jackets have finally fired Scott Howsen:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...lue-jackets-gm-general-manager-fired/1914725/

The Columbus Blue Jackets fired general manager Scott Howson on Tuesday.

His job had been considered on the line since the Blue Jackets finished last overall in 2011-12 and John Davidson was hired as president during the lockout. A 4-7-2 start sealed his fate.

According to TSN's Renaud Lavoie, Hextall is a candidate as his replacement. https://twitter.com/RenLavoieRDS

‏@RenLavoieRDS
Ron Hextal also a candidate to be the next GM in Columbus.

Click to read more...

 

[DocWest]

Feels about a few years too late. I would hate to waste Hextall on that cursed franchise, he's better of waiting for another team.

 

[Telos]

Feels about a few years too late. I would hate to waste Hextall on that cursed franchise, he's better of waiting for another team.

Not many people have the luxury of picking and choosing. There are only 30 of these jobs in the world, and there are a lot of other people qualified to compete for them. You take what you can get in the NHL. You think LA was Dean's first choice?

 

[tigermask48]

Wasn't he also a candidate for the Montreal job? Sooner or later the Kings will lose him and it's gonna be a tough spot to fill...

 

[Holden Caulfield]

On the WPG Jets telecast tonight Gary Lawless (useless WPG journalist but meh) indicated he thinks Jarmo Kekalainen is the front runner for the job. Former Assistant GM and Head of Amateur Scouting for the St. Louis Blues, as well as a scout for OTT, he is given the credit for guys like Demitra, Hossa, Berglund, Tarasenk, Rundblad, etc. Either Hextall or Kekalainen would be great hires for the Blue Jackets.

 

[Telos]

On the WPG Jets telecast tonight Gary Lawless (useless WPG journalist but meh) indicated he thinks Jarmo Kekalainen is the front runner for the job. Former Assistant GM and Head of Amateur Scouting for the St. Louis Blues, as well as a scout for OTT, he is given the credit for guys like Demitra, Hossa, Berglund, Tarasenk, Rundblad, etc. Either Hextall or Kekalainen would be great hires for the Blue Jackets.

Seems to be the gist of it:

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline

Three names keep popping up: Dave Taylor, Ron Hextall and Jarmo Kekalainen.

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline

Taylor said earlier that he's not the guy. Hextall is AGM with #LAKings. Kekalainen is GM of Jokerit in Finland.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie

My Finnish friends tell me Kekalainen is on 3rd year of a 5 year deal to manage Jokerit, but has an NHL out clause. Jokerit leads FIN league

 

[Chruceg]

The general understanding is that Ron Hextall is one of the best GMs in the game who is not actually a GM. He has been considered for several positions before.

This includes in no particular order ...

Tampa

Minnesota

Montreal

We've been lucky to have him for so long. He's going to get a job somewhere when the fit is right for him and the Kings will be lesser for it.

 

[EagleBlack87]

Not many people have the luxury of picking and choosing. There are only 30 of these jobs in the world, and there are a lot of other people qualified to compete for them. You take what you can get in the NHL. You think LA was Dean's first choice?

Actually Dean choose LA over his hometown team of the Boston Bruins.

 

[King'sPawn]

Not really sure Hextall would make a good GM of an NHL team. With Manchester, he seems to avoid bringing in veterans. Granted, the Blue Jackets would be a good FIT, since they would have a lot of youth for Hextall to work with, but I don't think his philosophy will take the Blue Jackets to the next level.

 

[damacles1156]

Not really sure Hextall would make a good GM of an NHL team. With Manchester, he seems to avoid bringing in veterans. Granted, the Blue Jackets would be a good FIT, since they would have a lot of youth for Hextall to work with, but I don't think his philosophy will take the Blue Jackets to the next level.

And for good reason. The AHL is strictly a development league. No need to have 30 year old, none NHL talent guys sucking up important minutes , your prospects should be playing.

This is one of the best changes, Dean And Hex has made.

Manchester is a place to develop NHL Roster players. Not give some guy that is a NHL washout, or non NHL talent (a job).

 

[Telos]

Actually Dean choose LA over his hometown team of the Boston Bruins.

Well, he liked our potential, but that's not to say we were his first choice. Would he have come to LA if say the Flyers job were open? Not to suggest the Kings were his last choice, because he was enamored with our potential, and he loves building teams, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that Lombardi was declining deals left and right waiting and clamoring to become GM of the Kings. I am sure there were other opportunities that could have possibly interested him more.

 

[damacles1156]

I would bet Lombardi choose LA cause AEG gave Lombardi full control of Hockey operations.


They also promised to not butt in during the rebuild.

 

[NikF]

Probably gonna be Jarmo, well deserved too. Could be first Euro GM.

 

[damacles1156]

I don't think Hex has a chance, he will probably get interviewed. But Davidson knows Jarmo.

If Philly ever fires their GM(or he retires), I would bet Hex has a good shot.

 

[Whiskeypete]

clip from the Insider on TSN, Mckenzie says Jarmo Kekalainen is likely the inside candidate due to his working relationship with Davidson in STL and his history with players stated above.

it wasn't said that Hextall is a confirmed candidate, but likely will be a candidate. it's rhetoric, but that is what was said

DT is out. they said he doesn't want to be considered

http://video.tsn.ca/?dl=pipe42/latest/1/0/863834/clip/0

 

[King'sPawn]

And for good reason. The AHL is strictly a development league. No need to have 30 year old, none NHL talent guys sucking up important minutes , your prospects should be playing.

This is one of the best changes, Dean And Hex has made.

Manchester is a place to develop NHL Roster players. Not give some guy that is a NHL washout, or non NHL talent (a job).

Playoff experience is a great developmental tool for players. A couple veterans usually gives an upper hand on making and succeeding in the playoffs.

 

[damacles1156]

Playoff experience is a great developmental tool for players. A couple veterans usually gives an upper hand on making and succeeding in the playoffs.

Since 2005-06 The Monarchs have missed the playoff's once....

What exactly is the problem ?

They may miss it this year as well, but it's not the end of the world.

 

[etherialone]

Go Go Jarmo!

Its just a matter of time for Hexy though.

Hope it is a long time but it is bound to happen eventually.

 

[Ron*]

Actually Dean choose LA over his hometown team of the Boston Bruins.

Tells you something about the owner, doesn't it?

 

[King'sPawn]

Since 2005-06 The Monarchs have missed the playoff's once....

What exactly is the problem ?

Playoff experience is a great developmental tool for players. A couple veterans usually gives an upper hand on making and succeeding in the playoffs.

That's the problem.

 

[damacles1156]

That's the problem.

Since 2006 The Hershey Bears have been the most successful AHL team post season wise.

How many Stellar Roster players have they produced for the Washington Capitals ? John Carlson, Jeff Shultz might be the best guys.

Last Time I checked the Caps are a disaster(with ZERO help coming), That may have something to do with them not developing Talent at the AHL level.

Could be all those Veterans they sign to win Calder Cups.... the average Age of the Bears is like 28+.

That's just me though.

And by the look of it, Lombardi and Hex agree as well.

 

[CNS]

It should, and rightfully so, will be Jarmo. I find it hysterical that I was just dropping his name as our future GM once Dean is fired in however many years. This sucks. Columbus will draft RIDICULOUSLY well now. Jarmo must absolutely be salivating at the shot at two firsts in this draft.

 

[damacles1156]

I hope Jarmo turns the Jackets around. As a long time Suffering Kings fan.

It's not fun, if your favorite Hockey team has bad Management.

Columbus deserves at least a decent team.

 

[Deleted member 93010]

It should, and rightfully so, will be Jarmo. I find it hysterical that I was just dropping his name as our future GM once Dean is fired in however many years. This sucks. Columbus will draft RIDICULOUSLY well now. Jarmo must absolutely be salivating at the shot at two firsts in this draft.

The Blue Jackets also have the Rangers' 1st round pick, so they have 3.

 

[damacles1156]

Three first rounders, One of them is going to be in the top Ten.

They may get one in the Top Five. I am not sure the Jackets finish bottom Five again.