Jarmo Kekäläinen, a seasoned veteran in the NHL Draft arena, has a knack for trusting the process. With experience from his days in amateur scouting with Ottawa and St.
Louis, where he played a part in drafting stars like Jason Spezza, Marian Hossa, and T.J. Oshie, Kekäläinen has learned the value of letting the experts do their job.
Reflecting on his past, he shares, “I was fortunate that I always worked with a general manager that didn’t stick his fingers in the process.” This hands-off approach has clearly influenced his strategy as he navigates his role as the general manager of the Sabres.
During his first draft at the helm for Buffalo, Kekäläinen leaned on the expertise of assistant GM Jerry Forton and his dedicated team. Their meticulous scouting process culminated in two significant first-round picks on Friday: defenseman Daxon Rudolph at No. 4 and forward Ilia Morozov at No. 20.
“We are in great hands with Jerry Forton and his staff,” Kekäläinen praised. “They do exactly what I believe in too, which is work hard, watch a lot of games, go back again and again and again to make sure that you know a player inside and out, especially the top guys. And then you work on your board constantly.”
Under Forton’s guidance, the Sabres’ draft board has been a reliable blueprint for success. It’s already produced first-round talents like Jack Quinn, Zach Benson, Noah Ostlund, and Konsta Helenius, all of whom played pivotal roles in this year’s playoff run. Jiri Kulich was also a key player penciled in as the first-line center before health issues sidelined him.
This year’s draft board prominently featured Rudolph and Morozov. Rudolph, a 6-foot-2 defenseman, might have surprised some by being picked in the top five, but his impressive hockey IQ and offensive prowess, evidenced by a 78-point season in the WHL, made him a standout for the Sabres.
Then there's Morozov, a tenacious two-way center who caught the Sabres’ eye to the extent they contemplated trading up to snag him. At just 20 points in 36 games last season, he showed promise as one of college hockey's youngest talents. His journey is a testament to his dedication, having moved from Russia to North America at age 14, overcoming language barriers, and excelling both academically and athletically.
“He comes from Russia, hardly spoke any English and now he’s an A student,” Kekäläinen noted with admiration. “Works on his game. They have to kick him out of the rink and gym.”
It’s clear that the Sabres are building a team of relentless workers, with Morozov joining the ranks of fellow hardworking draftees like Benson and Helenius. As the draft unfolds, these strategic moves could very well shape the future success of the Sabres.
In Other News...
Sabres May Finally Have A Real Answer On Long-Waited Prospect
Buffalos prospect pipeline could finally get a meaningful boost in the near future, and Prokhor Poltapov is the name worth circling. Sabres assistant GM Jerry Fortin said the 23-year-old winger could be in Buffalo next season once his KHL commitment ends, with his timeline tied to CSKA Moscows playoff run. Poltapov, taken 33rd overall, has followed up with back-to-back 40-point seasons and has the kind of game the organization views as close to plug-and-play.
For a Sabres team that has spent plenty of time waiting on young talent to arrive, the appeal is obvious: a player with some pro polish, a defined role and a chance to strengthen the roster without a long runway. The only real question now is when his season in Russia actually ends, because that will determine whether Buffalo gets a longer look in the spring or has to wait a little longer for a prospect who may be much closer to NHL-ready than most. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Draft Decision Just Changed Everything For One Young Defenseman
Buffalos draft room sent a clear message by taking Daxon Rudolph with the fourth overall pick, sticking to the same best-player-available approach that has shaped the organizations recent thinking. It also added another name to a defense pipeline that was already getting crowded, with the Sabres continuing to invest heavily on the blue line while trying to balance long-term upside with a roster that still needs help in the present.
Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall pick from last year and one of the teams top young defense prospects, suddenly looks like he is part of a larger conversation. Jarmo Kekalainen has made it plain that Buffalo will draft that way and, if necessary, use surplus defensemen as trade currency, which puts Mrtka in an uneasy spot as the Sabres weigh development against the desire to improve the team in more immediate ways. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Lock Up Beck Malenstyn And Shift Free Agency Plans
Beck Malenstyns first season in Buffalo gave the Sabres exactly the kind of depth they were looking for, and they rewarded it with a six-year contract carrying a $3 million average annual value. Since joining the team in 2024, Malenstyn carved out a steady role on the fourth line and penalty kill, the sort of bottom-six presence that can matter a lot over the course of a long season.
The deal also changes the shape of Buffalos summer business in a meaningful way. With just under $10.8 million in cap space, the Sabres still have two restricted free agents left to sort out, and Malenstyns new contract gives the front office a clearer picture of how much flexibility remains as those negotiations move ahead. [Read more 🡒]