New Sabres GM Faces ‘Delusional’ Label Over Strong Message

“It's great to make the playoffs, but we're not just here to make the playoffs, we're here to try to build a championship team,” Kekalainen said. “Winning the Cup is the goal.

“I think we're close. You can’t [hit] the fast-forward button, even if you'd like to sometimes. … I think there are a lot of good pieces here. I think we're very close. I firmly believe we can make the playoffs this year. There's a lot of hockey left.”

On Monday, Sabres owner Terry Pegula announced the firing of former general manager Kevyn Adams, naming Kekalainen as his replacement.

"We are not where we need to be as an organization, and we are moving forward with new leadership within our hockey operations department," Pegula said. "We are dedicated to building an organization that is competitive year after year, and we have fallen short of that expectation."

Kekalainen's comments about believing Buffalo is “close” and capable of a playoff push drew immediate reactions on X, where fans challenged the familiar messaging sent out by the new Sabres GM.

Some users referenced Pegula in calling out Kekalainen.

“Terry told him to say the line,” one person wrote.

“Said every GM under Pegula,” added another user.

“Where have I heard that before?” wondered a third person.

Other users simply couldn't understand Kekalainen's message, considering the Sabres' position in the standings and the impossibly long streak without postseason hockey in Buffalo.

“Peak delusion,” one account put bluntly.

“How does the GM possibly do that mid-season in last place?” questioned another person.

“Jarmo is an elite GM but this aint it chief,” one account wrote.

“I mean, can never hurt to hope right?” another person opined.

The Sabres have improved of late, winning three consecutive games for the first time this season, but they are still six points outside of playoff position in the Eastern Conference.