Confirmed with Link: Avs GM Chris MacFarland to Preds as President of Hockey Operations

[AtlantaWhaler]

Has anyone in the Nashville media asked Mac what he plans to do with coaching? I'm sure it's a canned response at this point, but I'd still like to know what he says.

 

[Armourboy]

At this point anything is possible. Despite him being a GM in Colorado it appears he didn't have control to make moves he wanted all of the time. He could try and do it all in one summer ( although I think its a bad summer for it ) by moving a lot of guys out and bringing others in by several different means, or he could do absolutely nothing chosing to go with, I want to see what the coach and players do before making moves mentality. Heck it could be something in between where he moves a guy out, but not a whole sale change.

We just have no real mark on this guy despite him being a GM in Colorado.

 

[Armourboy]

Has anyone in the Nashville media asked Mac what he plans to do with coaching? I'm sure it's a canned response at this point, but I'd still like to know what he says.

Probably not. You know the guys on 102.5 sure as heck won't. It's a question I can guarantee he already has an answer for and is probably shocked himself that no one has been willing to ask. Until they do, if you are him, there is no real reason to say anything.

 

[David Singleton]

A deep dive by James Mirtle on The Athletic into the roster building approach of Eric Tulsky, Nashville's other rumored target for President and GM.

Well worth a read as I think it gives you insight into the type of GM ownership was seeking.

Short excerpt:

Free agency may be dying. The draft may feel like a crapshoot beyond the top handful of picks. Great trades seem few and far between, especially with star players now increasingly calling their destinations.

But a savvy team can still find bargain buys in free agency, useful players beyond the first round, and undervalued talent from other teams. The Hurricanes roster is a great example of all three.

Their Cup-winning lineup had just one first-round pick made with their own selection: Svechnikov, chosen No. 2 in 2018 at the very beginning of this new, successful era for the franchise. (The team’s only other player they drafted with a first-rounder is Seth Jarvis, whose draft pick rights were acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in an ill-fated Patrick Marleau contract dump in 2019.)

The franchise has also made a few sharp picks in later rounds, selecting Slavin in the fourth in 2012, Aho in the second in 2015, Alexander Nikishin in the third in 2020 and Jackson Blake in the fifth in 2021.

The vast majority of Carolina’s roster, however, is made up of players airlifted in from elsewhere. Taylor Hall, Stankoven, K’Andre Miller, Staal, Martinook and Mark Jankowski all arrived via trades, big and small, that added positive value. Andersen and Jalen Chatfield, meanwhile, joined the list of UFA signings that worked out.

Altogether, of the 20 regulars who played for the Hurricanes in these playoffs, five were drafted, seven were traded for, seven were signed as free agents and one, Bussi, was claimed off waivers. It’s proof that you can be successful by constantly making sharp acquisitions without relying on bottoming out again and again and hitting on lottery balls.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Probably not. You know the guys on 102.5 sure as heck won't. It's a question I can guarantee he already has an answer for and is probably shocked himself that no one has been willing to ask. Until they do, if you are him, there is no real reason to say anything.

I am pretty sure I recall this answer in the original presser and his answer was "I just got here".

 

[nine_inch_fang]

Has he even done any media stuff since the first couple days?

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Has he even done any media stuff since the first couple days?

Almost nothing, but reading about him, I expect him to be the most tight-lipped limited access GM that we've had (only 2 so not a stretch). Trotzy spouting off every week on the radio with some new idea and direction seems like a thing of the past. I don't really care if we don't have access, if the results are good.

 

[Predsanddead24]

While they didn't really tank I do think there is a bit more nuance to the story with Carolina. They missed the playoffs for 9 straight years and the assets they picked up those years were very critical to the team they built. For example, Staal took the 8th OA and a an 11th OA pick to acquire. Getting Stankoven and Hall took Necas who was their 12th OA. Between those three and Svechkinov you're talking about four of the most important players in their Cup run that they wouldn't have if they hadn't sucked for a long while. To me the lesson is you don't have to truly bottom out you do have to go through stretches where your team sucks and you build up assets and be patient with how you build your team.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

While they didn't really tank I do think there is a bit more nuance to the story with Carolina. They missed the playoffs for 9 straight years and the assets they picked up those years were very critical to the team they built. For example, Staal took the 8th OA and a an 11th OA pick to acquire. Getting Stankoven and Hall took Necas who was their 12th OA. Between those three and Svechkinov you're talking about four of the most important players in their Cup run that they wouldn't have if they hadn't sucked for a long while. To me the lesson is you don't have to truly bottom out you do have to go through stretches where your team sucks and you build up assets and be patient with how you build your team.

I don't think anyone has argued against the fact that a team will have down years while rebuilding, even with what has been called a "competitive rebuild". Renewing your core players with young inexperienced talent will undoubtedly be a bumpy road but you can still ice a competitive/fun to watch team while still focusing on the end result.

The Preds are currently going on the 4th summer of this rebuild. For all the flip-flopping of Trotz on the direction of the team and Brunette being useless as a development type coach the draft picks and prospects weren't sacrificed, yet. Just money for the horrible UFA contracts and playing time for the older prospects trying to break into the league.

 

[Scoresberg]

But the thing is, if you're being appropriately purposeful and patient in your approach - which I hope CMac will be - there is no reason to make the course "clear" this summer. You don't HAVE TO trade off some veterans right away. The trade market may simply not be there. It usually isn't for veterans in the summer. Usually that's the time for free agency to be at the forefront.

This summer MIGHT be a little different in terms of the market/Cap space changes, but... it also might not. If you have to wait until the season is underway, or on through to the trade deadline, we can afford to do that in order to get the ABSOLUTE BEST returns possible. There is no need for panic or kneejerk reactions. We simply need to maximize returns.

And our GM definitely DOES NOT need to make it clear to us right away what he's up to! Tipping his hand to us also tips it to his competitors.

Then CMac has to offer me some other reason to watch this team next year? Same vets, same coach, basically same everything? And where did it get us last year?

Why should I invest my time to watch this team come October?

 

[Predsanddead24]

Then CMac has to offer me some other reason to watch this team next year? Same vets, same coach, basically same everything? And where did it get us last year?

Why should I invest my time to watch this team come October?

Because you're a fan of the team?

 

[BigFatCat999]

 

[Flgatorguy87]

I'm sorry, but for the fans that are "done with the team". I get things haven't been great for a bit, but don't come around here looking for somebody to rub your back and stroke your face because the new GM didn't do exactly like you wanted on your imaginary GM message board within the first 15 days of his hiring. If you are "done with the team" then be done with it. We have all been watching the same shit, most of us since day 1. It ain't great, it may not be great for a bit, but that's part of supporting a team. I'd rather you get over it, be supportive, and let things play out before we start having the pity parties.

 

[BigFatCat999]

View attachment 1255506

Anybody else feeling old with all these hires of guys we watched

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Anybody else feeling old with all these hires of guys we watched

I had him on my fantasy team when he was with the Devils.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Anybody else feeling old with all these hires of guys we watched

I was just thinking this. Well, except I already felt old. So like "extra old"... I remember getting excited about drafting these guys in my fantasy league. Langenbrunner coming out of junior hockey! But then, the era of players some of us started watching when we were kids are more in the "dying off" category than the "getting new hockey ops jobs" category, so um, yeah. Extra old.

Too bad their rookie cards aren't worth anything more by getting these jobs.

 

[HockeyFan111]

I'm sorry, but for the fans that are "done with the team". I get things haven't been great for a bit, but don't come around here looking for somebody to rub your back and stroke your face because the new GM didn't do exactly like you wanted on your imaginary GM message board within the first 15 days of his hiring. If you are "done with the team" then be done with it. We have all been watching the same shit, most of us since day 1. It ain't great, it may not be great for a bit, but that's part of supporting a team. I'd rather you get over it, be supportive, and let things play out before we start having the pity parties.

You can go on with that. So if im not the same kind of fan you are that supports every move and has his pom poms ready then im having a pity party. Last time I checked this is for all kind of fans so instead telling every fan to be just like you how bout to understand fans frustration or just move on.

 

[Predsanddead24]

You can go on with that. So if im not the same kind of fan you are that supports every move and has his pom poms ready then im having a pity party. Last time I checked this is for all kind of fans so instead telling every fan to be just like you how bout to understand fans frustration or just move on.

I’m down for people to bitch and moan to their hearts content and I’ll probably join in sometimes. But if any of this is going to make you not be a fan of the team than you have very different definitions of what a fan is than I do.

 

[HockeyFan111]

I’m down for people to bitch and moan to their hearts content and I’ll probably join in sometimes. But if any of this is going to make you not be a fan of the team than you have very different definitions of what a fan is than I do.

I've shouted "im done with team" more time than I can remember with all the teams I root for and somehow I turn the TV back on for the next game. Im a fanatic when it comes to my sport team and very critical but will be the 1st person that puts his foot in his mouth when wrong. Like martin I think it was a horrible reach but im praying and begging for him to prove me wrong. I used to be optimistic when it came to this team but as the years went by I became more and more pessimistic. I hope McFarland has a plan because I want my team to win the cup

 

[Armourboy]

You can go on with that. So if im not the same kind of fan you are that supports every move and has his pom poms ready then im having a pity party. Last time I checked this is for all kind of fans so instead telling every fan to be just like you how bout to understand fans frustration or just move on.

There is a difference in not liking a move and coming in saying you are done with the franchise and then just keep on coming back in 2 days and say the exact same thing.

I doubt anyone has a whole lot of issue with people saying they don't like certain moves, but if you are going to stand up and say you are done with the franchise then get the heck on with it. If you are just upset and aren't going anywhere then pick another phrase that actually fits.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

There is a difference in not liking a move and coming in saying you are done with the franchise and then just keep on coming back in 2 days and say the exact same thing.

I doubt anyone has a whole lot of issue with people saying they don't like certain moves, but if you are going to stand up and say you are done with the franchise then get the heck on with it. If you are just upset and aren't going anywhere then pick another phrase that actually fits.

On the bright side, we haven't seen the Atlanta guy in a long time.

 

[Armourboy]

On the bright side, we haven't seen the Atlanta guy in a long time.

There are several I haven't seen in a long time anyways because they are on ignore

 

[predhead1]

There are several I haven't seen in a long time anyways because they are on ignore

Anyone check in on Byrddog after Tampa's season?

 

[Predsfan4life]

Here's my take on being "done with a team"---be done and stop hopping on message boards. I grew up liking the Blues (before Nashville got a team)...key here I've always like hockey (just always loved the sport). Microwave society....if you are done take up fishing or hunting or whatever...you shouldn't waste your time and energy on something that isn't enjoyable (but that's just me).

 

[Predation]

I haven’t been reading the boards for a while. What is everyone so salty about? I think we are going to see some exciting times in Nashville. It might take a year or three…