This is a huge offseason for GM Jarmo Kekalainen and the Jackets. They’re looking to turn the corner from lottery team, to playoff contention – and in a hurry. He has to nail this offseason from a variety of angles, or else he could find himself in the unemployment line in the not so distant future.
There is reason to be optimistic here, in my opinion. Jarmo has done a terrific job over the last two summers, reloading the prospect pool and making it one of the best in the NHL; as well as signing Johnny Gaudreau via free agency last summer.