MacFarland to Nashville
Nashville Predators Hire Chris MacFarland from Avalanche to Lead Hockey Operations
The Nashville Predators have hired Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland to lead their hockey operations as president of hockey operations and general manager, filling the vacancy created by Barry Trotz’s announced retirement. MacFarland has been Colorado’s GM since July 2022 and helped the Avalanche reach the playoffs in each season of his tenure, including winning the Presidents’ Trophy and the 2022 Stanley Cup, before being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final. The Predators had granted MacFarland permission to speak with the organization after owner Bill Haslam met with him, with reports indicating they sought broad control comparable to a president/GM structure. Colorado said Joe Sakic will resume general manager duties for the foreseeable future through key offseason steps, with the expectation that a longer-term replacement will eventually be needed. For Nashville, the move is aimed at stabilizing following another disappointing season that again left the team out of the playoffs, while Colorado looks to maintain its momentum after MacFarland’s exit.
Key Points
Predators owner Bill Haslam said the team conducted an “exhaustive search,” but was “all along” hoping to interview MacFarland, calling him “a perfect fit” to lead Nashville’s hockey operations.
Reports said Nashville met MacFarland’s request for broad control: sources told Sportsnet/Elliotte Friedman that Nashville was hopeful MacFarland would “run all hockey operations,” and that a lateral move was unlikely.
Before the 2022 Cup run, MacFarland’s Avalanche career dates back to May 21, 2015, when he was hired as an assistant general manager working directly with Joe Sakic.
Colorado’s playoff exit was tied to a major sweep by Vegas in the Western Conference Final, but the season’s regular-season dominance stood out: the Avalanche topped the NHL standings “every day from Nov. 1,” won the Presidents’ Trophy with 121 points, and had goalie play that earned the William Jennings Trophy.
Nashville’s recent struggles were more severe than a single miss: the team missed the playoffs for the “third time in four years” in 2025-26.
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