Blue Jackets Fire GM Jarmo Kekalainen

We all knew this was coming. Most of us assumed it wouldn't happen until the off-season. But the Jackets ripped the band-aid off on Thursday morning, firing General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

The team has done a terrific job of stockpiling prospects and building for a bright future. But the on-ice results this season have hardly been acceptable, which led to Jarmo's demise.

This season has been rocky, to say the least. The season started off on the wrong foot with the hiring - and termination - of Mike Babcock as head coach, before the season even started.

As things go in a strictly results-driven industry, the Jackets had to do something. You can't fire every player on the roster. You can't fire the brand new head coach, who wasn't given adequate time to prepare. So in this case, the GM falls on the sword.

President of Hockey Operations John Davidson will assume the role as interim GM, while the team searches for a replacement. We'll share more thoughts and opinions as the day wears on.