Insider Jonah Sigel refused to back down on his news claim that Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland will serve in a larger role with the Nashville Predators.
Sigel, a reporter for Canada's largest newspaper, the Toronto Star, posted on X earlier this month that there was buzz on if the Predators would name MacFarland as the team's Vice President of Hockey Operations, a step above the GM role. On Saturday, Sigel doubled down and claimed that he's certain it will happen.
It's Sat night , I'm in a good mood. 3 things I believe or I've been told. These are NOT rumors:
— Jonah Sigel | Sports media + streaming (@yyzsportsmedia) May 31, 2026
1. Chris MacFarland will end up in Nashville - big promotion & bigger raise
2. Morgan Riley will agree to get dealt to San Jose
3. The Leafs will name David Carle head coach
If the rumor is true, this would be big news for the Nashville Predators, a team trying to return to playoff action after failing to appear in two-straight seasons. MacFarland has served as Colorado's GM since the 2022-23 season and served as the team's assistant GM since 2015-16 prior to his promotion. His arrival to Nashville would extend the Stanley Cup-winning prestige beyond the locker room.
MacFarland experience building winning rosters would mean lots for Predators
Nathan Mackinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen are just a few names that MacFarland oversaw the development of. He has experience developing some of the league's top players and he doesn't just stop there. MacFarland is touted for his ability to continue team construction once the pieces are developed, keeping his team in cup discussion year after year.
MacFarland supplied the Avalanche with a wide variety of trades. Some of his best came from smaller, but crucial trades. He swapped now-Preds goalie Justus Annunen for goalie Scott Wedgewood which almost instantly brought more security in the crease for the Avalanche. He also isn't afraid to make a blockbuster. Arguably the biggest trade of his tenure was sending Mikko Rantanen and other assets to the Hurricanes for Martin Necas, a top forward for Colorado.
He knows what it takes to create and maintain a winning roster. The Predators need someone who's isn't afraid to make big moves, even if it means trading away franchise pieces. MacFarland's been in that position, and the work he's done with the Avalanche paid off big time. As Nashville's VP of Hockey Ops, he'd be one of the deciding factors in what makes a deal good or bad.
The one thing that puts this rumor in question is MacFarland's contract situation. Currently, he has one more year left on his contract, meaning that the Predators would need to get permission from the Avalanche to even talk with him. With the Avalanche failing to advance to the finals in four-straight season, the possibility of an opening isn't zero.
An opportunity to interview MacFarland would mean that Colorado is most likely open to parting ways with him. If the move we to happen, we could likely assume other teams would go after the big name. The Toronto Maple Leafs, while most spots are filled, could be an option for MacFarland if he desires a bigger market.
This isn't going without saying that MacFarland isn't a target for the Preds GM role. While there haven't been any major rumors regarding this claim, the idea is still there. Regardless, if Sigel is right, the Predators got a lot to look forward to.
