The Nashville Predators are targeting Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland for their open position, sources told ESPN.
The Avalanche have granted permission to their division rival, sources said, and the expectation is that the deal gets done this week.
The Predators have been searching for a GM since February when Barry Trotz announced he was stepping aside after three years in the role. Nashville also currently does not have a president of hockey operations, and it's possible MacFarland could hold both roles, which would be a promotion.
MacFarland is still under contract with the Avalanche, the Presidents Trophy winner this season which was stunningly swept in the Western Conference Final. Sources say the Avalanche have not had any conversations about coach Jared Bednar's future to this point, signaling he is likely back as head coach.
MacFarland has been sought out by other teams since joining Colorado in 2015. After the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, MacFarland was elevated from assistant GM to GM as Joe Sakic moved to president of hockey operations.
MacFarland would move from one of the most successful teams in the league in recent history -- making the playoffs in each of his four seasons as GM -- to a team trying to build something. Nashville has missed the playoffs three times in the past four years.
According to sources, the Predators told candidates during their search process they wanted to hire someone with previous experience running a team.
