Sabres hire John Davidson as senior advisor

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres have made another addition to their hockey operations department this offseason, hiring longtime NHL executive John Davidson as a senior advisor.

“I am excited to join the Buffalo Sabres and look forward to the opportunity to help the organization in any way I can,” said Davidson in a team statement on Monday. “The momentum in Buffalo is palpable throughout the entire league and the passion from Sabres fans makes this opportunity all the more exciting. I look forward to continuing the relationships with many in the Sabres’ front office and building new ones in this role, all with the goal of contributing to a winning culture."

For 20 years, Davidson has served in a number of top executive roles in the NHL. This includes stints as president of hockey operations with the St. Louis Blues (2006-12), Columbus Blue Jackets (2012-19, 2021-24) and president of the New York Rangers (2019-21).

The 73-year-old recently served as a senior advisor of the Blue Jackets during the 2024-25 season after bringing in Don Waddell as general manager and president of hockey operations in 2024.

Davidson has a very close working relationship with Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. The two worked together both in St. Louis and Columbus, where Davidson hired Kekalainen as the first European-born general manager in the NHL in February of 2013. Davidson also replaced Kekalainen as interim general manager of the Blue Jackets when he fired him in February of 2024.

"I am thrilled to welcome John Davidson to the Sabres as a senior advisor,” Kekäläinen said. “John and I have a strong working relationship that we have developed over many years. His experience leading multiple organizations, combined with his player evaluation skills and relationships around the NHL make him a great fit for this role. He will lend his expertise and guidance to all areas within the hockey department as we aim to continue to improve our club."

Davidson has been around the NHL for several years as a player, broadcaster and executive.

The goalie was a first-round pick of the Blues in the 1973 NHL Draft, and played a total of 10 years with St. Louis and the Rangers.

After his playing days, Davidson became a very well-respected broadcaster with the Rangers, and was eventually inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 after receiving the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.