The Columbus Blue Jackets signed general manager Jarmo Kekalainen to a two year contract extension on September 6, 2016 which would take him through the 2018-2019 season according to Aaron Portzline.
Artemi Panarin‘s contract is also set to expire after this season and with Elliotte Friedman‘s recent news that he’s not ready to sign an extension, the pressure has been put on Kekalainen’s shoulders. If he fails to solve the issue, whether through trade or an extension later in the year and the team loses Panarin for nothing, then Kekalainen may be the one who suffers as a result.