Nashville Predators want new GM Chris MacFarland to "build a winner"

The big picture: MacFarland comes from the Colorado Avalanche, where he helped orchestrate a dramatic turnaround over the last decade.

• He was assistant general manager as the team went from a last-place finish in the 2016-17 season to Stanley Cup champion in 2022.

• He took over the general manager position there in 2022 and continued to guide the Avalanche to the playoffs during every year of his tenure in that role.
• This season, the Avalanche led the NHL in points and reached the Western Conference Final.

The intrigue: MacFarland didn't mince words in a statement Tuesday announcing his new post with the Predators.

• "My goal here is to build a winner," he said, adding that he wanted "to put a team on the ice that will compete for the Stanley Cup."

Between the lines: MacFarland is coming to Nashville in the midst of a hot streak. He was named as a finalist for the league's general manager of the year award last month.

Zoom out: The Predators have been hunting for new GM since February, when Barry Trotz announced his retirement.

• After a few bruising seasons, the pressure was on to find a change agent.
• The Preds recently got permission to interview MacFarland and quickly announced his selection Tuesday.

What they're saying: Predators CEO Sean Henry said MacFarland was "the perfect leader to propel our organization to new heights. He is a proven builder and winner and respected throughout the NHL."

What's next: Fans won't have to wait long to get a sense of MacFarland's strategy. The NHL Draft starts June 26.