The Nashville Predators announced a significant front‑office shakeup on Tuesday, naming Chris MacFarland as their new president of hockey operations and general manager.
A New Direction for Nashville
MacFarland leaves the Colorado Avalanche after an 11‑year stint that culminated in a franchise‑record 121‑point season and a trip to the Western Conference Final, where the team fell to the Vegas Golden Knights. He departs as a finalist for the general manager of the year award, a testament to his impact in the league.
He takes over from Barry Trotz, who will transition to an advisory capacity, and inherits a Predators squad that has missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons but still boasts a core of net‑minder Juuse Saros, captain Roman Josi and forward Filip Forsberg.
MacFarland’s reputation as a deal‑maker was on full display at the trade deadline, when he helped the Avalanche augment their roster with key acquisitions that propelled them to the top of the league.
The move also places Joe Sakic, the Avalanche’s president, in an interim general manager role, a position he has held before, while the Predators evaluate the future of coach Jared Bednar, whose contract expires after the upcoming season.
With a track record of building championship‑contending teams and a history of success that includes being the only person in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup as both captain and GM with the same franchise, MacFarland is expected to inject fresh energy into Nashville’s hockey operations.