Chris MacFarland Is Remaking the Nashville Predators
Chris MacFarland took over as Nashville Predators general manager on June 2, 2026, inheriting a roster in need of change. He also picked up the president of hockey operations title on his way in the door. And if the first month on the job is any indication, he is not here to baby-step his way through a transition.
MacFarland Brings Avalanche Pedigree to Nashville
The Predators hired the former Colorado Avalanche executive precisely because he knows what a winner looks like from the inside. MacFarland spent years in a front office that built a contender. Nashville is betting that experience translates directly to Bridgestone Arena.
He did not wait long to prove he was not going to be a caretaker. Within his first month on the job, MacFarland added three executives to the front office, one new data analyst, one new development coach. And six new players to the roster. That is not the tempo of someone planning a gradual rebuild.
That is someone who knows exactly what he wants the team to look like and is moving fast to get there.
The Trade Machine Is Already Running
MacFarland went back to his old employer early and often. He acquired forward Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch from the Avalanche in exchange for Nashville's own third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Colorado's own third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and goaltender Magnus Chrona. Days later, he sent Zachary L'Heureux and Fedor Svechkov to Colorado for forwards Jack Drury and Chase Bradley, plus the third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft.
The former Avalanche architect too went fishing in other markets.
He landed 24-year-old center Mavrik Bourque in a trade with the Dallas Stars, a player who signed a six-year deal at $5.5 million per season according to The Hockey News. On June 29, MacFarland acquired 25-year-old forward Nils Hoglander from the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft. He pulled Ilya Lyubushkin in a trade with Dallas, signed Alex Kerfoot to a two-year deal. And followed up during draft weekend by adding real stature in a trade with the New York Rangers for Adam Edstrom. That is a lot of bodies moved in a very short window.
Nashville's Roster Is Getting Younger Fast
This was not subtle.
The Predators entered the offseason with seven players over 30 years old and four over 35 years old. Nashville had 26 players under contract for 2026-27, three more than the roster limit. And MacFarland acknowledged on July 1 that the number needed to be under 23 by opening night. He told reporters at Bridgestone Arena it would require "some tough decisions" and warned he was "moving some players that maybe you wouldn't normally look to move in order to improve key areas of the ice."
A Tennessean report noted that by adding younger players, MacFarland had reset the Predators' short-term outlook.
NHL.com projected a forward group featuring Filip Forsberg, Mavrik Bourque, Matthew Wood, Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly, Luke Evangelista, Nils Hoglander, Ross Colton, Jonathan Marchessault, Alexander Kerfoot, Jack Drury, and Adam Edstrom. That is a different team than the one he inherited.
Andrew Brunette remains behind the bench to start the season, though MacFarland has described that as part of an ongoing evaluation.
More changes could still come prior to training camp. Three spots still need to clear before opening night.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players did Chris MacFarland add in his first month? MacFarland added six new players to the roster, three executives to the front office, one data analyst, and one development coach in his first month as Nashville's GM.
What was wrong with the Predators' roster when MacFarland took over? The team had 26 players under contract for 2026-27, three over the limit, and an aging core featuring seven players over 30 and four over 35.
The path is clear even if the destination is not guaranteed. MacFarland is leaning on everything he learned in Colorado. And he is not easing into this job. Whether the young talent he is accumulating develops fast enough to matter in the stacked Western Conference is the question that will define his first season in charge. Watch how quickly the roster math resolves to under 23 players, since that is where the real交易 work begins.