A New Era for the Predators
The Nashville Predators have named Chris MacFarland as their new president of hockey operations and general manager, a move that signals an aggressive push to revitalize a franchise that has missed the playoffs three times in the past four seasons.
MacFarland arrives after a four‑year stint as general manager of the Colorado Avalanche, where he helped steer the team to the league’s best regular‑season record and a Stanley Cup championship in 2022. His tenure was marked by a aggressive roster construction that paired veteran talent with emerging stars, a strategy that earned him a nomination for the NHL’s General Manager of the Year award alongside Bill Guerin and Pat Verbeek.
The Predators will now look to translate MacFarland’s winning formula into a competitive roster in Nashville. The organization, owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, has struggled to find consistency since its last deep playoff run, and the front office hopes the new leadership will restore the team’s former prominence.
In a related development, longtime Predators general manager Barry Trotz will transition to an advisory role, providing continuity as the club navigates the change. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche will be overseen on an interim basis by team legend Joe Sakic, who will handle day‑to‑day decisions while the franchise evaluates a permanent replacement for MacFarland’s former post.
The shift also comes as the Avalanche prepare for life after a nine‑straight postseason streak under head coach Jared Bednar, a run that has kept the team in the conversation for the Stanley Cup each year. With Sakic at the helm, the club aims to maintain its competitive edge while the search for a permanent GM unfolds.