Best Executive Hire in Nashville 2026: Chris MacFarland
It took the Predators four months to replace former general manager Barry Trotz, who announced his retirement in February 2026. But the Predators eventually landed quite a catch. Nashville hired former Colorado GM Chris MacFarland away from the Avalanche, giving him the president of hockey operations title in addition to general manager. MacFarland had spent the previous 11 years with the Avalanche, helping the team reach the playoffs nine straight years and win the Stanley Cup in 2022. He’d served as the Avs’ GM for the past four years and guided Colorado to the NHL’s best regular season record in 2025-26.
