Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Ops John Davidson, General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen and AGM Bill Zito all agree to contract extensions.
One of the many unsettling circumstances surrounding the Columbus Blue Jackets organization was ended today as John Davidson, Jarmo Kekalainen and Bill Zito all agreed to “mulit-year” contract extensions. The three front office lodestars have guided the organization from a decade of futility to the verge of great success.
The team did not announces specifics of any of the three deals other than that they were “multi-year” and “long term” extensions that will provide stability for the organization for many years to come.
Columbus Blue Jackets President Mike Priest said of Davison’s extension,
Columbus Blue Jackets
"“Under John Davidson’s leadership, our club has made great strides over the past six seasons and this long-term commitment speaks to the confidence that our ownership group, led by John P. McConnell, has in his vision for our team. The plan implemented by our hockey operations senior management team is working and we are pleased that these talented and committed individuals will continue to lead our hockey operations efforts for years to come.”"
Davidson was first brought into lead the organization in Fall of 2012. After coming to Ohio he brought Jarmo Kekalainen with him from St. Louis to be the General Manager. In that time, Kekalainen has led this squad to put the most talented team on the ice the franchise has ever had. Only the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Tampa Bay Lightening have more wins over the last two seasons than the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Furthermore, Bill Zito was promoted to associate general manager as well as being extended. The former assistant general manager has been tasked with building up the Cleveland Monsters as well as serving as the general manager for Team USA during the 2018 World Championships.
Re-signing these three key leaders is the first step to long term organizational stability. All three of these gentleman have helped pull this organization from the doldrums of the NHL and have the team on a promising upward trajectory.
The next step is a contract extension for Coach John Tortorella and then ending the Artemi Panarin saga, one way or another. Having these three leaders in the front office inked to deals is a good first step.