The Nashville Predators announced a major front‑office overhaul this week, naming Chris MacFarland as their new president of hockey operations and general manager.
A Strategic Hire
MacFarland, who spent the last decade shaping the Colorado Avalanche into a perennial contender, will replace Barry Trotz, who retired earlier this year after a storied tenure.
The Predators said the decision came after an exhaustive search that left no doubt about the right fit for the franchise’s next chapter.
Building a Contender
During his time in Colorado, MacFarland helped the Avalanche capture two Central Division titles and posted a league‑best 205 wins, a testament to his ability to blend talent development with strategic roster construction.
He first entered the Avalanche’s management ranks in 2015 as assistant general manager under Hall of Famer Joe Sakic, quickly rising to GM.
Before Colorado, MacFarland honed his craft with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he held a variety of hockey operations roles after a collegiate career at Pace University.
A native of the hockey world, MacFarland holds both business and law degrees from Pace, a combination he says equips him to navigate the business and competitive sides of the sport.
Looking Forward
The Predators will enter the next three NHL drafts with 33 selections, a deep prospect pool that MacFarland is expected to leverage as he builds a championship‑ready roster.
Team owners Bill Haslam and Sean Henry praised MacFarland’s track record and vision, stating that his analytical rigor and player‑development focus should accelerate the club’s ascent toward the top of the league.
In a public statement, MacFarland expressed excitement about “building a winning team in Nashville and competing for the Stanley Cup,” a sentiment that resonated with the organization’s long‑term goals.