3 candidates to replace Jarmo Kekalainen as Blue Jackets GM

It was nothing short of another struggling season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who found themselves embroiled in controversy before the 2023-24 campaign even began thanks to the botched hiring of Mike Babcock. The former Stanley Cup-winning coach didn't step behind the bench for a single game for Columbus before he resigned owing to reports that he invaded players' privacy by asking to look through their phones. Ultimately, this controversy and continual on-ice struggles would cost long-tenured general manager Jarmo Kekalainen his job. Kekalainen, who was in the midst of his 11th season as general manager, was terminated by president of hockey operations John Davidson on February 15.