Significant Turn Of Events In Chris MacFarland's Future With Avalanche

In a significant turn of events, the Colorado Avalanche have granted permission to the Nashville Predators to speak with general manager Chris MacFarland.

The Nashville Predators have been given permission to speak with Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland, according to sources. See where it goes from there.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 2, 2026

Insider Elliotte Friedman writes, however, that, according to his sources, "the biggest question is: what exactly is the title, role and offer?"

He then added a huge update that makes it sound like this very well could happen:

"According to several sources, MacFarland met face-to-face last night with (Predators) owner Bill Haslam and the goal is for the Predators to close this quickly. They know they will have to hand the keys to MacFarland and are prepared to do it."

The Avs denied permission back in 2022 for the Anaheim Ducks to speak with MacFarland about their vacant GM job, when he was the assistant GM who had helped Joe Sakic build a Stanley Cup winner in '22 in Colorado. That summer, the Avalanche elevated MacFarland to GM rather than risk losing him.

Now, after a Presidents' Trophy season as the top team in the league for the regular season, then being shockingly swept in the Conference Final by the Vegas Golden Knights, could it be time for MacFarland to move on?

The Predators have been searching for someone to fill the GM role since Barry Trotz announced that he was stepping down earlier in the season. They've watched as other teams have opened up and then filled their general manager roles, biding their time. Now, the Preds may have stumbled upon an elite candidate.

This will be an intriguing situation that we'll be watching closely.