Blue Jackets Hire John Davidson, Extend Kekalainen’s Contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets believe the New York Rangers made a mistake letting an experienced NHL executive go and have pounced on the opportunity to sign him. They’ve also taken care of some internal business and extended the contract of their general manager.

On Thursday it was announced that the Blue Jackets have named John Davidson president of hockey operations and alternate governor. In addition to Davidson news, GM Jarmo Kekalainen has been extended through 2024-25. Davidson had three years left on his contract with the Rangers. Kekalainen has two years left on his current deal.

It was Davidson who actually hired Jarmo Kekalainen in Columbus. The move puts Davidson back in charge of Kekalainen, who took over the Blue Jackets’ hockey operations when Davidson left.

Related: New York Rangers Fire GM Jeff Gorton and Pres. John Davidson, Hire Drury

The #CBJ have also signed GM and alternate governor Jarmo Kekalainen to a contract extension through 2024-25.

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) May 20, 2021

President of the Blue Jackets, Mike Priest said of the news: “This is an important time for our organization and having stability and proven leadership at the top of our hockey operations department is critical for us to do what we want to do, which is bring a Stanley Cup championship to Columbus.” He added, “Signing Jarmo to an extension and then bringing J.D. back gives us the right people to address the opportunities and challenges before us and we couldn’t be more excited.”

The Blue Jackets now need to hire a coach after deciding earlier this month to part ways with John Tortorella. Kekalainen has referred to it recently as the No. 1 priority this summer.

Columbus Seems Like the Right Fit

The moment Davidson was released by the Rangers, there was talk the Blue Jackets might consider brining him back. Davidson and Kekalainen have worked together before, turning the franchise around and going from one Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance in 12 seasons to one that reached the postseason five times in seven years from 2013-20. Davidson, 68, left Columbus on May 17, 2019 to take the same position with the New York Rangers.

The Rangers relieved Davidson and then-GM Jeff Gorton of their duties after a they refused to join owner James Dolan in a fight against the NHL to have the Head of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, George Parros removed from his position for failing to suspend Washington Capitals’ forward Tom Wilson. The Rangers suggested the changes were coming anyways, but the timing was such that the two situations were obviously related.

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