Jarmo Kekalainen, general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, joins Deb Placey on the latest edition of NHL Executive Suite, available on NHL.com and multiple iOS and Android podcast apps.
Kekalainen reveals what it's like to work with John Tortorella and why he's the perfect fit for Columbus. Yet there is one thing Kekalainen tries to avoid when dealing with the Blue Jackets coach, explaining why nothing good comes out of it.
He also discusses his favorite hobby and one of his favorite professional athletes to watch, gets into the numerous injuries sustained by Columbus during the 2019-20 season, the biggest challenges he faces daily and what it meant to become the first Europe-born GM in the NHL.
Kekalainen ends the conversation on the topic of Blue Jackets goalies Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo and their promising futures in the NHL. Merzlikins, a rookie, had five shutouts during an eight-game stretch from Jan. 11-Feb. 7 when Columbus climbed back into the race for a Stanley Cup Playoff berth. Korpisalo signed a two-year contract with the Blue Jackets on Friday.
NHL Executive Suite, hosted by Placey, is a biweekly podcast that gives listeners a taste of how each guest broke into the game, why they pursued their careers, how they see the future evolution of the sport and much more.
Fans can subscribe and listen to NHL Executive Suite at NHL.com/Podcasts as well as multiple iOS and Android podcast Apps, including Castbox, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iheartradio, iTunes, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn Radio.
Fans can also tune in to NHL Fantasy On Ice™, a twice-weekly podcast dedicated to the fantasy hockey world. Full episodes, posted every Tuesday and Friday, also can be found at NHL.com/Podcasts. NHL Podcasts are produced by NHL Original Productions.
