Nashville Predators name Chris MacFarland GM and president

The Nashville Predators have hired Chris MacFarland as their new president of hockey operations and general manager, the team announced Tuesday. MacFarland, 56, joins the organization after spending the past four seasons as the general manager of the Colorado Avalanche.

He replaces Barry Trotz, who announced in February his intention to retire from the GM role once a successor was found. Trotz will now move into an advisory position with the Predators. MacFarland becomes only the third general manager in franchise history, following David Poile and Trotz.

Predators majority owner Bill Haslam said in a statement that the organization conducted an exhaustive search and interviewed several qualified candidates, but was hopeful to speak with MacFarland throughout the process. He turned out to be a perfect fit for us just what we were looking for to lead our organization moving forward, Haslam said.

MacFarland brings a track record of success from Colorado, where he spent 11 seasons in the front office. He was instrumental in building the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship roster and was promoted to general manager shortly after that victory. This past season, the Avalanche...